Women’s Lacrosse Slated No. 7 in IWLCA Division II Pre-Season Coaches Poll
GRAND LAKE, CO. - West Chester's women's lacrosse was slated seventh in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II Pre-Season Coaches Poll, which was released on Monday. Last season, the Golden Rams (17-3, 11-1) made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. Leading the way for West Chester a season ago was attacker Ashley Pyle (Springfield, Pa./Garnet Valley), who tallied 60 goals and 38 assists for a team-high 98 points. The returning senior was second on the team in goals and assists in her junior campaign. Her 98 points led the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Pyle registered four game-winning goals on the year and added 26 ground balls, 8 draw controls and 12 caused turnovers to her credit. Her list of honors includes second-team All-America, first-team All-ECAC, an All-PSAC selection as well as an All-South Region pick. As the 2017 season approaches, Pyle can also add Women's Division II Player of the Year Watch to her resume according to Inside Lacrosse. Another key returner for head coach Ginny Martino's squad is senior Dina Cifelli (Robbinsville, N.J. / Notre Dame). Cifelli provided a team-high 58 assists and was third on the team with 77 points. Additionally, she tacked on 19 goals for the Golden Rams. Overall, Cifelli has captured 165 assists in three seasons at West Chester. She is currently five assists away from tying a school-record, set by Stephanie Kienle in 2008. The senior is also 19 assists shy of tying a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) record held by Kayleigh Johnson. Florida Southern claimed the top spot with 17 first place votes in the poll, while Adelphi was picked behind them by collecting three votes. West Chester did not receive any first place votes, but did accumulate 251 points to begin the season as the seventh seed. The Golden Rams take on Holy Family University in a non-conference matchup to open up the 2017 season. The home opener and season opener is set to take place on Friday, March 6th inside Vonnie Gros Field at 4 p.m.
