WINTHROP, Mass. – Following a historic season that featured the program's first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship and making the program's first ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship, the Rivier men's lacrosse team was selected as the No. 1 seed in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Thursday afternoon.

The Raiders earned 157 points in the poll, including seven first-place votes. Lasell finished close behind with 155 total points and four first-place votes.

Last season, Rivier earned the No. 1 seed in the North entering the GNAC Tournament after posting a perfect 9-0 record in conference play. The Raiders opened postseason action with a 15-4 win over former conference opponents JWU (Providence), followed by a 10-9 victory in a GNAC Semifinal battle with Saint Joseph (Conn.) to advance to championship game for the first time ever. In a matchup of the two top seeds, No. 1N Rivier and No.1S Lasell, the Raiders battled through multiple weather delays to capture their first ever conference championship with a 9-7 victory.

The Rivier men's lacrosse team's historic run continued into the NCAA Division III Tournament, where the team hosted and defeated Maine Maritime, 20-10, in the First Round. The Raiders' season concluded in the Second Round with a road setback against No. 8 Bowdoin.

The Raiders were well represented in the GNAC regular season awards, sweeping Offensive, Defensive, and Goalkeeper of the Year. Eight student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition, including current senior defender Scott Miller and current senior face-off specialist Owen McDuffie, who were both named to the GNAC Third Team.

Rivier also excelled academically, with 11 student-athletes earning New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) All-Academic Team Honors. Additionally, assistant coaches Ruppy Hailey and Drew Hailey were selected to coach in the NEILA East-West Senior All-Star Game.

The team kicks-off its regular season with a non-conference bout with Plymouth St. on Saturday, Feb. 21. The opening face-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Joanne Merrill Field.

Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll Results

1. Rivier (7) - 157
2. Lasell (4) - 155
3. Emmanuel (2) - 147
4. University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) - 138
5. Dean - 106
6. Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 104
7. Norwich - 93
8. New England College - 85
9. Regis - 63
10. Albertus Magnus - 54
11. Colby-Sawyer - 32
12. Elms - 30
13. Mitchell - 19