PERRY, N.Y. (Jan. 23, 2017) - The LIU Post men's lacrosse team will enter the 2017 campaign ranked at No. 7 in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association/Nike Division II Preseason Poll, released Monday.

The Pioneers, who are preparing for their East Coast Conference title defense, received 234 points in the voting, the second-most of any team in the ECC.

Reigning national champion Le Moyne topped the poll, earning 360 points and all 18 first-place votes. Limestone followed at No. 2 with 337 points.

Merrimack (322 points), Tampa (297 points) and NYIT (275 points) rounded out the Top-5. The Pioneers will host both Merrimack (Feb. 18) and NYIT (Apr. 1) this season.

The green and gold welcome back all four of their All-East Coast Conference defensemen from 2016. Seniors Shane Sweeney (Hicksville, N.Y.) and Ryan Stern (Shoreham, N.Y.) and juniors Joey Denaro (Oceanside, N.Y.) and Ryan Baker (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) anchored a unit last year that held opponents to the third-lowest scoring average (8.11 goals allowed per game) in the league.

The Pioneers open up the 2017 campaign next Friday (Feb. 3), when they travel to Saint Leo, Fla. for a non-conference showdown at Saint Leo University. The opening faceoff is slated for 7 p.m.

2017 USILA/Nike Division II Preseason Top-20 Poll
1. Le Moyne (18 First-Place Votes) - 360 Points
2. Limestone - 337 Points
3. Merrimack - 322 Points
4. Tampa - 297 Points
5. NYIT - 275 Points
6. Mercyhurst - 266 Points
7. LIU Post - 234 Points
8. Adelphi - 229 Points
9. Seton Hill - 216 Points
T-10. Belmont Abbey - 147 Points
T-10. Mount Olive - 147 Points
12. Lake Erie - 139 Points
13. Mercy - 114 Points
14. Lenoir-Rhyne - 101 Points
15. Indianapolis - 78 Points
16. Pace - 75 Points
17. Lindenwood - 66 Points
18. Molloy - 46 Points
19. Colorado Mesa - 39 Points
20. Rollins - 36 Points

Also Receiving Votes: Florida Southern, Chestnut Hill, Lynn, Saint Anselm, Queens (N.C.), Wingate, Saint Leo, Southern New Hampshire, Bentley, Wheeling Jesuit