CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Navy women's lacrosse team has been picked second in the 2019 Patriot League Preseason Poll in a vote cast by the league's coaches and sports information directors, it was announced by the conference office on Thursday. Additionally, attacker Kelly Larkin (Alexandria, Va.), midfielder Andie O'Sullivan (Valley Cottage, N.Y.), and defender Marie Valenti (Bechtelsville, Pa.) were named to the preseason all-league team. The last two seasons, the Mids finished second in the Patriot League regular-season, but claimed the tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Loyola secured 12 of the 20 first-place votes (eligible for only 18 due to not being able to vote for your own team) and amassed 156 points to top the poll. Navy accounted for the remaining eight first-place votes and totaled 152 points to finish second in the balloting. Lehigh was third with 130 points, followed by Boston University (112), Colgate (84), Army (82), Holy Cross (71), Lafayette (55), Bucknell (39), and American (19).
 
In addition to the preseason poll, the 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League Team was also unveiled. The 16-woman team is made up of 11 seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. Eight of the 10 teams placed players on the preseason team, including Loyola who has a league-best five selections. Navy has three representatives, while Boston U. and Lehigh each have two and Army, Bucknell, Holy Cross, and Lafayette have one.
 
Larkin is Navy's top offensive returner, entering the 2019 season with 225 total points on 116 goals and 109 assists. The junior is one of only two players in school history to record two 100-points seasons, and the only player in program history to achieve the accomplishment in their first two seasons. Larkin is a two-time Inside Lacrosse All-American, as well as a two-time All-Patriot League selection, including being named 2017 Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
 
O'Sullivan is a two-time All-Patriot League selection, earning second-team honors as a sophomore and a junior. The offensive captain ranks in Navy's all-time top 20 with 104 total points on 69 goals and 35 assists. She enters the 2019 season on the verge of entering the Navy top 10 in both goals scored and assists.
 
Valenti earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors last season, while being named to the Academic All-Patriot League as a sophomore and junior. The defensive captain holds the school record with 85 caused turnovers in her career, while ranking third all-time in school history with 132 ground balls.
 
Navy opens the 2019 season on Saturday, Feb. 9 at No. 14 Virginia.
 
2019 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Loyola, 156 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Navy, 152 (8 first-place votes)
3. Lehigh, 130 points
4. Boston University, 112 points
5. Colgate, 84 points
6. Army, 82 points
7. Holy Cross, 71 points
8. Lafayette, 55 points
9. Bucknell, 39 points
10. American, 19 points
 
2019 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Major Awards
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Livy Rosenzweig, Loyola, So., Attack
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kristen Yanchoris, Loyola, Sr., Defender
 
2019 Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-League Team
Jackie Brattan, Army, So., Attack
Kailey Conry, Boston University, Jr., Attack
Tonianne Magnelli, Boston University, Sr., Defender
Jamisen DeWitt, Bucknell, Sr., Goalkeeper
Keely Connors, Holy Cross, Sr., Attack
Jane Kirby, Lafayette, Sr., Attack
Sondra Dickey, Lehigh, Jr., Midfielder
Courtney Henig, Lehigh, Sr., Attack
Kady Glynn, Loyola, Sr., Goalkeeper
Hannah Powers, Loyola, Sr., Attack
Livy Rosenzweig, Loyola, So., Attack
Taylor VanThof, Loyola, Sr., Midfield
Kristen Yanchoris, Loyola, Sr., Defender
Kelly Larkin, Navy, Jr., Attack
Andie O'Sullivan, Navy, Sr., Midfield
Marie Valenti, Navy, Sr., Defender