FREELAND, Mich.-- The Trine women's lacrosse team was picked to finish ninth in the MIAA in the conference's preseason poll, released Tuesday.
The Thunder received votes totaling 59 points to finish two points back of Adrian. Point totals are based on votes cast by the conference's coaches, who cannot vote for their own team. Trine is coming off an eighth-place finish in the MIAA last season. The Thunder finished the season 4-8 overall.
Rebecca Plantz (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt) is Trine's leading returner in scoring. As a freshman, Plantz scored 22 goals and added two assists to finish second on the team in scoring. She also finished second on the team with 25 draw controls.
Bailey Brown (Sheridan, Ind./Westfield) and Elena Gallego (Norwalk, Calif./Santa Fe) each scored four goals last season and return to figure into the team's offensive efforts. The Thunder should also benefit from the return of Anne Mammel (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh), who scored 14 goals and started every game two seasons ago.
Caity Rose (Hamilton, Ind./Hamilton) will transition to goalkeeper this season after playing defense last year. Rose replaces four-year starter Grace Garrett in net.
Emily Griffin (Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sundburg) anchors the team's defensive efforts. As a freshman, Griffin caused 14 turnovers.
This year's roster features five newcomers, including three freshmen. Trine returns eight players that saw action in the starting lineup last spring.
The Thunder open the season Thursday, Mar. 10 at Hanover. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. For the complete schedule CLICK HERE.
| Team | Points (First-Place) | |
| 1. | Calvin | 10 (6) |
| 2. | Albion | 14 (3) |
| 3. | Hope | 24 |
| 4. | Alma | 31 |
| 5. | Kalamazoo | 37 |
| 6. | Olivet | 42 |
| 7. | Saint Mary's | 50 |
| 8 | Adrian | 57 |
| 9. | Trine | 59 |