Detroit, MI – Mercyhurst was voted by league coaches as the preseason favorite in the upcoming College Hockey America season, announced Wednesday morning by CHA league officials.
The Lakers, under the direction of head coach Michael Sisti, garnished four first place votes and 16 points to take the top spot after winning their fifth consecutive CHA Tournament Championship this past spring.
Wayne State came in second with the final first place vote and 13 points followed by Niagara in third with 10 points. Robert Morris took the fourth spot with seven points while newly appointed league member Syracuse rounded out the poll in fifth.
On the preseason All-CHA Team, junior forward Meghan Agosta was a unanimous selection for Preseason CHA Player of the Year. Last season, Agosta finished as the nation’s leader in goals (40) and goals per game (1.21), while coming in second for points per game (1.97). Her efforts earned her CHA Player of the Year for the second time after winning the honor as a freshman.
2008-09 CHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses)
1. Mercyhurst 16 (4)
2. Wayne State 13 (1)
3. Niagara 10
4. Robert Morris 7
5. Syracuse 4
2008-09 CHA Preseason All-Conference Team
Goaltender: Brianne McLaughlin, Sr., Robert Morris
Defense: Natalie Payne, Sr., Wayne State
Defense: Chelsea Burnett, Jr., Wayne State
Forward: Valerie Chouinard, Sr., Mercyhurst
Forward: Melissa Boal, Sr., Wayne State
*Forward: Meghan Agosta, Jr., Mercyhurst
*Preseason CHA Player of the Year
