Mercyhurst garners five of six first-place votes, sits atop CHA preseason coaches poll

Maggie Knott (Mercyhurst -4). ((c) Shelley M. Szwast 2016)
Maggie Knott recorded a team-best 29 points last season for Mercyhurst (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

Mercyhurst has been selected to finish as champions of the CHA, according to the 2018-19 preseason coaches poll released Wednesday.

The Lakers received five of the six first-place votes while Robert Morris garnered the other.

Robert Morris has won each of the last two CHA regular-season championships while Mercyhurst outright won or tied for the regular-season title every year prior.

Penn State was picked to finish everywhere from second in the conference to last by the coaches, finishing fourth in the voting behind third-place Syracuse. Lindenwood and RIT were picked fifth and sixth, respectively.