Feb. 4, 2005

Edison, NJ - The Marist women's lacrosse team was predicted to finish fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), as voted upon by the league's 10 head coaches. Additionally, senior goalkeeper Heather Ripp (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) was named to the Preseason All-MAAC team. Ripp earned a spot on the First Team All-MAAC after a solid season in 2004, accumulating 189 saves on a .509 save percentage.

LeMoyne, last year's regular season champion, was picked to finish first with 55 points while defending MAAC Tournament champion Manhattan came in second with 49 points. Co-Preseason Player of the Year Michelle Eide and the Siena squad were tabbed third with 45 points, just ahead of the Red Foxes who garnered 43. Fairfield, Niagara, Iona, and Canisius rounded out the bottom four, with Fairfield's Beth Loffredo sharing Preseason Player of the Year honors.

Senior co-captain Heather Ripp earned Preseason All-MAAC accolades and is expected to lead the Red Foxes with her impressive work in goal. During her career, Ripp has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the MAAC. She has received numerous honors including a First Team All-MAAC selection last season and MAAC All-Tournament Team honors as a sophomore.

The Red Foxes finished with a record of 7-10 (4-2 MAAC) under first-year Head Coach Noelle Cebron in 2004. Cebron guided the Foxes to a second place finish in the regular season after the team was selected to finish fourth in the preseason poll. Marist lost to eventual tournament champion Manhattan in the first round, 17-11.

Marist will kick off its 2005 campaign at Howard on Saturday Feb. 26 and will play its home-opener on Sat. March 12 against St. Joseph's at 4:00 p.m. Highlighting the Red Foxes' schedule this year is a trip west to take on Oregon, St. Mary's (CA) and UC Davis during spring break.

MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. LeMoyne 55
2. Manhattan 49
3. Siena 45
4. Marist 43
5. Fairfield 42
6. Niagara 21
7. Iona 19
8. Canisius 14