Big East Coaches Have Spoken: Syracuse WLAX Picked As Preseason Favorite

Syracuse is your unanimous 2013 BIG EAST preseason favorite as voted on by the league's women's lacrosse coaches. The Orange (19-4, 8-0 BIG EAST) received all eight first-place votes and tallied 64 total points.

Senior Michelle Tumolo and senior Becca Block are the league's unanimous picks for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.

Last year, Tumolo, a Tewaaraton Finalist, recorded a career-high 95 points (52 goals, 43 assists). She joins former Syracuse player now assistant coach, Katie Rowan, as the only players in school history to record 200 points and 100 assists in a career.

Teammate Becca Block spearheaded a defense that ranked 11th nationally, allowing just 8.87 goals per game and recorded 47 draw controls, 34 ground balls and 13 points.

The Orange have five preseason All-BIG EAST selections, including Tumolo and Block. Junior attack Alyssa Murray, the one-two punch to Tumolo, scorched opponent's defenses and led the nation last year in scoring with 105 points. Her 74 goals led the league. Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Costantino and junior Katie Webster have also been named to the All-BIG EAST team.

Syracuse will host Maryland in its home opener at the Carrier Dome, Sunday, February 17. The draw is set for 1 p.m.