WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Bears of Bridgewater State University are the unanimous pre-season pick to win the 2014 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse championship in a vote of the league’s coaches.

After capturing the inaugural tournament title last year, the Bears return several players from the 2013 championship squad, including MASCAC Rookie of the Year Lauren Geary and All-Conference honorees Riley Cachelin and Taylor Clancy. Looking to repeat this season, the Bears will do so under new head coach Holly Drown. In this year’s poll, Bridgewater State claimed all seven first place votes to amass 49 points and the top spot.

Last season’s tournament finalist Westfield State was picked to finish second with a total of 42 points with Worcester State next in third place, collecting 33 points. Fitchburg State and Salem State tied in fourth place with 24 points Framingham State and Massachusetts Maritime round out this year’s poll in sixth and seventh with 16 and eight points, respectively.

2014 MASCAC Women’s Lacrosse Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)