The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and Inside Lacrosse recently released their preseason college lacrosse polls for the upcoming season, and the Blue Devils were ranked in the Top 5 of both heading into 2016 competition with IWLCA picking them as the 4th best team and IL ranking them 5th.
Last year the Blue Devils finished 16-5 and advanced to the program’s 7th NCAA Tournament National Semifinals before losing in a Final Four match-up with North Carolina. Even though Duke was ranked in the Top 5 of both polls, they will have a very challenging schedule ahead with 7 ACC schools ranked and four other conference opponents joining the Blue Devils in the Top 10 including #2 UNC and #3 Syracuse which are both away games for Duke this season.