CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 2, 2017) - The LIU Post men's lacrosse team was chosen to finish second in the 2017 East Coast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Thursday.

The Pioneers welcome back five of their All-East Coast Conference selections from a 2016 season that saw the green and gold capture their fourth-consecutive league championship.

LIU Post, which was pegged at No. 7 in the USILA Division II Preseason Poll, earned 71 points in the voting. NYIT was the unanimous pick, tallying 81 points and all nine first-place votes.

Last year, the Pioneers held on for a 12-11 victory over the Bears to win the ECC title. Former standout Matt Bellando tallied five goals in the contest and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Mercy was a close third in the poll at 62 points. Chestnut Hill (51 points) and Molloy (49 points), who were separated by only two points, rounded out the Top-5.

Head Coach John Jez and his LIU Post squad kick off the 2017 campaign Friday (Feb. 3) in Saint Leo, Fla. against non-conference opponent Saint Leo University. The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.

2017 ECC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. NYIT (Nine First-Place Votes) - 81 Points
2. LIU Post - 71 Points
3. Mercy - 62 Points
4. Chestnut Hill - 51 Points
5. Molloy - 49 Points
6. Roberts Wesleyan - 27 Points
7. Dist. Columbia - 24 Points
8. Dominican - 22 Points
9. St. Thomas Aquinas - 18 Points