The William Smith College lacrosse team is ranked 18th in Division III, according to the preseason poll recently released by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). The Herons posted a 13-4 overall record in 2008, and ranked as high as 11th in the nation.

William Smith returns five players who recorded 20 or more points last spring, including top scorer, junior Molly Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, who ranked fourth in the Liberty League with 60 points (40 goals-20 assists), is joined by junior Sarah Goodkind (32-3), senior Michaela Parnell  (18-9), senior Nina Sperry  (13-8), and junior Brittany Callaghan (15-5). Senior goalie Becky Josefiak also returns, after notching a 9-3 mark in net with a 10.16 goals against average.

Three of the Herons’ scheduled opponents are also ranked in the preseason poll, including two Liberty League foes. After facing non-conference opponent and 12th-ranked Cortland on April 1, William Smith will take on top-ranked Hamilton on April 10, and seventh-ranked Union on April 25th.

The Herons open their 2009 schedule on March 17, when they square off against Messiah in Lake Lytal, Fla., at 10 a.m.