(Photo by Bob White)

ATLANTA – After rolling to the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference Division II title last spring, Florida Gulf Coast has been chosen as the favorite in the restructured conference, according to the preseason coaches poll.

The Eagles (10-5), which finished the ’17 regular season on a nine-game winning streak, amassed 17 total points, edging out Kennesaw State (10-6) by three points. The Owls were the runners-up in last year’s SELC Division II tournament.

"We lost a couple key offensive and defensive pieces from last year, but seven of the eight all-conference performers return," said FGCU coach Mike Dubbelde. "Couple that with some very talented freshmen and transfers, and the sky is the limit for this team.

"Now that the fall is over and the results of our scrimmages have been a mixed bag, all the talent in the world doesn’t translate into wins. There is plenty of work to do before a polished defense and a potentially potent offense takes the field in the spring. We haven’t won anything yet, and without everyone putting in the work, the talk will be that we 'should’ve' or 'could’ve' been really good.

FGCU was also the favorite to win the South division of SELC-II (poll below), easily clearing second place Coastal Carolina (4-5). SELC-II is transitioning from a four-division conference to a two-division North-South structure in 2018.

Kennesaw State was the pick in the North division ahead of second place Appalachian State (7-2).

Not surprisingly, the championship game predication coaches poll (also below) heavily featured Florida Gulf Coast and Kennesaw State.

In the main poll, Appalachian State and UNC-Charlotte (6-7) rounded out the top four.

SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference Division II Preseason Poll

SELC-II North Division Preseason Coaches Poll

SELC-II South Division Preseason Coaches Poll

SELC-II Championship Game Predictions