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    Wildcats Top American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Poll
    Four Wildcats named to the ALC Preseason Team
    NUSPORTSDOTCOM Shannon Smith, a first-team All-ALC selection in 2010, was named to the 2011 ALC Preseason Team.
    NUSPORTSDOTCOM
    Shannon Smith, a first-team All-ALC selection in 2010, was named to the 2011 ALC Preseason Team.
     NUSPORTSDOTCOM

    Jan. 28, 2011

    2011 American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Release Get Acrobat Reader

    EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern has been tabbed as the unanimous favorite to repeat as American Lacrosse Conference champions, sitting atop the preseason ALC poll. The Wildcats, who have won the last six ALC crowns, enter the season having won 36 consecutive conference games, dating back to the 2005 season.

    Northwestern the unanimous choice for the top slot, followed by Vanderbilt, which faced the Wildcats in last season's ALC championship game. Penn State is third in the poll, followed by Florida, Johns Hopkins and Ohio State. Both the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have new head coaches heading into the 2011 season.

    The 2011 American Lacrosse Conference preseason team was also announced, with the Wildcats well represented. Senior Colleen Magarity, juniors Alex Frank and Shannon Smith and sophomore Taylor Thornton were the four Wildcats selected to the team -- the most selections of any school. All four were tabbed All-ALC in 2010, with Shannon being a first-team honoree.

    Northwestern begins the 2011 season at Notre Dame on Feb. 19 in a rematch of last season's NCAA first round matchup. The Wildcats' first ALC tilt is against the Commodores in Nashville on Feb. 27, as Northwestern will also take on Florida (Apr. 14) and Johns Hopkins (Apr. 16) on the road. Penn State (Apr. 8) and Ohio State (Apr. 22) both make the trip to Evanston in 2011. Season tickets for the 2011 Northwestern lacrosse season will be on sale soon.

    2011 American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Poll
    1. Northwestern
    2. Vanderbilt
    3. Penn State
    4. Florida
    5. Johns Hopkins
    6. Ohio State

    2011 American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Team
    Ashley Bruns - Florida
    Ally Carey - Vanderbilt
    Annie Carruthers - Ohio State
    Alex Frank - Northwestern
    Maggie Dunbar - Penn State
    Alyssa Kildare - Johns Hopkins
    Colleen Magarity - Northwestern
    Alayna Markwordt - Ohio State
    Candace Rossi - Johns Hopkins
    Shannon Smith - Northwestern
    Jen Steadman - Penn State
    Taylor Thornton - Northwestern

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