RICHMOND, VA-- The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse team, which returns three of its five leading scorers from last year’s team, has been selected sixth in the 2007 Pre-Season Colonial Athletic Association Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Poll. The poll, which was announced by the league office Thursday after a vote from the eight league head coaches, saw the Blue Hens earn 19 total points.

James Madison was selected to repeat as champions, claiming seven first place votes and 49 total points. Hofstra received the only other first place vote and 39 total points. Towson was third, garnering 34 points followed by William & Mary (30), George Mason (28), and Delaware. Drexel was seventh with 13 points followed by Old Dominion, which claimed 12 points.

James Madison, which downed Hofstra 14-8 in last season’s CAA title game, returns 2006 CAA Player of the Year Kelly Berger, who led the league in assists (34), points (98), and shots per game (7.5). The Dukes also return 2006 CAA Defensive Player of the Year Kylee Dardine.

Delaware will open the 2007 season Feb. 24 when the Blue Hens travel to Penn State for a 12 noon start time. The Blue Hens will open CAA play April 1 at home vs. Towson. The CAA Tournament will be held May 4-6 at the site of the higher seeds.

Head coach Kim Ciarrocca, who enters her third season at the helm of the Blue Hens this spring, welcomes back three of the team’s top five goal scorers and 15 letterwinners from a team that posted a 5-12 record.

The Blue Hens return 2006 CAA All-Rookie selections Stacey McPartland and Debbie Sloan. McPartland, who was also named to the All-CAA second team, started 14 games and anchored the Hens’ defense last season. Sloan, the team’s leading freshman in assists last season, will play a major role in the team’s offense this season.

Delaware also returns Casey McCrudden (right), the team’s leading scorer last season. McCrudden led the Hens in both goals with 38 and points with 46. Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Cerveny, who was fifth in the CAA with 7.81 saves per game and fifth with a .425 save percentage, will also look to make major contributions this season for the Hens.