This year’s Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 was released by the organization on Monday, with UNC set to begin the season as the No. 2 ranked team in America.

Defending national champion Maryland earned the No. 1 spot in the poll, while No. 3 Northwestern,  No. 4 Syracuse and No. 5 Boston College were listed just behind the Tar Heels in the top five.

The rest of the top 10 consists of No. 6 Princeton, No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 8 Virginia, No. 9 Michigan and No. 10 Denver.

With Duke at No. 21 and Virginia Tech at No. 23, the ACC has a total of seven ranked teams heading into the season–more than any other conference.

UNC is scheduled to open the season on Feb. 8 in a road clash against No. 17 James Madison.

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics