WATCH: CAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Webcast 

YORK, Pa. – With 13 straight CAC Championships under its belt, Salisbury was once again a unanimous choice to claim the title in the CAC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll. The Sea Gulls received eight first-place votes and 64 points in a vote among the conference head coaches.

York finished second in the poll with one first-place vote and 57 points. Christopher Newport (45) and Mary Washington (45) tied for third, followed by St. Mary’s in fifth with 38 points.

Frostburg State (29), Marymount (22), Wesley (16) and Southern Virginia (8) rounded out the nine CAC women’s lacrosse squads in the voting.

In 2015, Salisbury and York squared off in the CAC Championship for the fourth straight year, with Salisbury securing its 13^th consecutive title with a 6-3 victory. Both the Sea Gulls and Spartans went on to represent the CAC in the NCAA postseason. Salisbury's two-year reign atop Division III women's lacrosse came to an end with a 9-8 double-overtime loss to Hamilton in round two, while York advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time in program history before falling to Middlebury, 10-8.

The Sea Gulls and Spartans are both ranked in the preseason top 10 of the IWLCA and Lacrosse Magazine national rankings.

Below is a team-by-team preview heading into the 2016 campaign:

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT enters 2016 after compiling a 9-8 record last season, including a 5-3 mark in conference action. Led by first-year head coach Lisa Valentine, the Captains return six All-Conference performers from last season, including first-team All-Region honorees Mariah Ginebra and Meaghan Galvin. The veteran contingent will also feature an accomplished senior class, including All-Conference selections Hanna Slough and Kylie Chaplin.

It’s a time of new beginnings for the FROSTBURG STATE program, as first-year head coach Hayley Engster looks to bring the Bobcats back into postseason contention. The feat shouldn’t be hard to do as the Bobcats return three of their top four goal scorers with junior midfielder Charlotte Hines (14 goals, 23 assists), junior attack Megan Hart (25g, 7a), and junior midfielder Molly Hart (28g, 6a). With junior goalkeeper Dylan Teitelbaum (28 ground balls, .401 save percentage), junior defender Alyssa Barlow (17 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers), and dual-threat junior midfielder Emani Byrd (6g, 1a, 18 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers, 20 draw controls), FSU’s defense and transition game looks stronger than ever.

MARY WASHINGTON enters the 2016 season with high hopes, with the return of 20-goal scorers Holly Hudson, Kate Smucker, and Ashlyn Dacey. Also back for head coach Caitlin Moore are returning starters Sabrina Elliott, Peyton Murray, Emily Mott, Maiah Bartlett, and Paige Thumel. Bartlett and Mott were named all-region selections a season ago.

MARYMOUNT graduated nine seniors for the 2015 campaign, but reloaded with six freshmen and two transfers in Jessica Crew and Kellen Cannon. Returning to captain the Saints into the 2016 season are senior Stephanie Keane and sophomore Abby Wescott. Both in their first seasons as captains, the duo brings strong leadership and skill to the squad. Keane led MU last season in ground balls with 32 while adding 16 points off 12 goals and four points, and Wescott paced the offense with a team-high 49 points off 28 goals and 21 assists. Juniors Meghan Higgins and Natalie Tinkham return to command the backfield, as the duo combined for 32 caused turnovers and 52 ground balls.

ST. MARY’S rookie head coach Erin McDonnell begins her first year in the Capital Athletic Conference after spending eight years in the Centennial Conference as a player and coach. McDonnell inherited an experienced, senior-laden team which experienced their first 10-win season since 2011 and advanced to the CAC Tournament semifinals. Team captains Kayla Dunn, Shelby Newman, Tori Poffenberger, and Kate Somerville will work to help with the transition and guide the team's five newcomers. The team's experience is marked by a pair of all-region selections in Newman and Poffenberger as well as an All-CAC defender in Somerville.

SALISBURY enters the 2016 season after earning its 15th Capital Athletic Conference championship and 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Sea Gulls will look to continue their astounding 113-game CAC winning streak in 2016. Salisbury brings back a strong core of returners, led by senior Megan Wallenhorst, who led the team in goals and was an IWLCA All-American last season. Also returning is standout goalkeeper Gianna Falcone, who had a remarkable freshman campaign in front of the cage, earning CAC Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-CAC for her efforts. Samantha Duranti and Gabbi Nieves also return to bring experience to the midfield and defense, while Kieran Kelleher will bring a bevy of talent to the defensive end as well.

Under the direction of second-year head coach Nancy Webber, SOUTHERN VIRGINIA aims to show gradual improvement in 2016. The Knights are continuing to build the program, as this spring will mark just their third year of competition. Senior midfielder Rainey Whitworth is back for the Knights after leading the team in goals (35), assists (4) and points (39) a season ago.  

WESLEY enters the 2016 season looking to improve on last year’s 6-10 record and to make a push for postseason play. Key returners for third-year head coach Aimee LeClair include junior attack Allison Perugini and senior defender Summer Stone, who will look to lead a young squad that includes 13 freshman and sophomores on the roster.

YORK enters 2016 coming off the most successful year in program history as the Spartans went 15-6 and advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight. The Spartans must replace the IWLCA National Division III Defender of the Year and CAC Player of the Year Karlie Dougherty but head coach Jen Muston welcomes back a strong core of returning players. On defense, two-time All-CAC first team honoree Megan Strauch returns to anchor the defense. The attack will be paced by senior Allison Kolacy, an All-CAC selection last year. Junior Katelyn Cattrano will also be counted on to contribute in the attack for the Spartans. Other top returners for York include Brittany Noell, Melissa Meehlin, Katie Owens, Erin Mensch, Rachel Donovan and Gina Bieneman.

2016 CAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll