Lady Saints tabbed conference's best

The Limestone Lady Saints lacrosse team is ranked No. 1 in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as released by the league office on Wednesday.

Limestone finished last season with a 16-4 overall record (9-1 CVAC). Pfeiffer and Queens round out the top three slots in the poll as voted on by the conference's head coaches.

Two Lady Saints were named to the CVAC's Players to Watch List: junior midfielder Marissa Pesce (West Babylon, N.Y.), and sophomore defender Chrissy Grogg (Taberg, N.Y.) Both players earned All-Conference and All-Region honors in 2006, while Pesce was named a second team All-American.

Limestone is eagerly anticipating the 2007 season after much success in 2006. Last year's Lady Saints' squad had another outstanding season as the team received an NCAA Division II Final Four tournament berth.

The Lady Saints faced West Chester in the semifinals of the national tournament, but fell to the Pioneers, 10-8.

Limestone plays a strong schedule this spring, including top 10 games against Lock Haven, Pfeiffer, Queens, and Gannon. The Lady Saints return seven starters and have added many talented recruits.

Limestone's attack looks to be a major threat with the return of All-American sophomore Kelly Lickert, who led the team with 68 points last year.

The team also returns its leading scorer, All- American Marissa Pesce.

Newcomer Katie Ilott is the only player on the Saints to have represented her national team as she played for the Canadian U-19 squad and will be expected to contribute right away.

Chrissy Grogg, a second team All-Region honoree, is back to help anchor the Lady Saints defense.