SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Susquehanna University men's lacrosse team has been picked to finish seventh in the Middle Atlantic Conference preseason coaches' poll, the conference office announced Wednesday.

The Crusaders (6-7 overall, 5-5 MAC) return nine letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad, which finished tied for sixth in the conference last season in its fifth year at the varsity level.

First-year head coach Gordon Galloway welcomes back second-leading point scorer Dan St. Ours (9 goals, 31 assists) along with senior Justin Mason (15 goals, 22 assists) and second-team All-MAC goalie and conference Rookie of the Year Dan Kotch (10.54 goals against average, .601 save percentage).

Defending MAC champion Messiah received eight of 11 first-place votes to earn the top spot in the coaches poll, followed by FDU-Florham, Widener, Elizabethtown, Lycoming, Drew, Susquehanna, King's, Scranton, DeSales and Moravian.

Susquehanna opens its 2005 season on Friday, March 11 against Kenyon at Orlando Fla. The Crusaders kick off their home schedule on Tuesday, March 22 against Misericordia.