CHAPEL HILL– The Carolina men’s lacrosse team is ranked third nationally in a preseason poll for Inside Lacrosse Magazine. But Carolina has some familiar company at the top.

All four top spots in the poll are comprised of ACC teams. Defending NCAA champion Duke claims No. 1 while Syracuse, Carolina and Notre Dame round out the top four.

The rankings were released Monday. The Face-Off Yearbook rankings are decided on by the Inside Lacrosse staff. Last year’s results, graduated and returning players, new recruits and other offseason developments factor into the list.

The 2013 ACC Champion Tar Heels will strive to improve upon their NCAA quarterfinal loss to Denver last season.

UNC lacrosse begins their regular season Feb. 9 at Furman.

Complete IL Preseason Rankings:

1. Duke
2. Syracuse
3. North Carolina
4. Notre Dame
5. Denver
6. Maryland
7. Ohio State
8. Penn State
9. Virginia
10. Yale
11. Penn
12. Albany
13. Princeton
14. Johns Hopkins
15. Bucknell
16. St. John’s
17. Cornell
18. Villanova
19. Loyola
20. Towson

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