FREELAND, Mich. – In a preseason poll of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's lacrosse coaches, the Albion men's lacrosse team was selected as the team to beat in the 2017 MIAA season in a preseason poll of eight MIAA coaches.

Albion, last season's MIAA regular season and tournament champions, garnered seven first-place votes to earn 49 points. The poll resulted in a trio of teams in a close race for second, with Alma (39 points) edging out Trine (third, 35 points) and Hope (fourth, 33 points). 

Olivet came in fifth overall with 26 points, while Adrian was tabbed to place sixth with 20 points. Kalamazoo (12 points) and Calvin (10) concluded the preseason prognostication.

The preseason poll for MIAA men's lacrosse awards seven points for a first-place vote, six points for a second-place vote, et cetera; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own programs.

Albion (13-5 overall in 2016, 7-0 MIAA) represented the MIAA in the NCAA Tournament in 2016 for the consecutive year, and the Brits aim to return to the national tournament. Returning for the Brits is 2016 MIAA defensive MVP Kyle DeCamp (Jr., M, Howell, Mich.) as well as first-team All-MIAA performer Dave Brown (Jr., D, Milford, Mich.).

Alma (13-5, 6-1) targets a return to the MIAA championship game in 2017. Returning for the Scots is Jared Nycz (So., A, Elma, N.Y.), who was the MIAA Offensive MVP and Rookie of the Year last spring. 

Trine (8-6, 5-2) graduated a trio of first-team All-MIAA performers from last year's squad, but second-team All-MIAA attacker Nick Maher (Jr., A, DeWitt, Mich.) will aid the Thunder in 2017.

Hope (9-7, 3-4) will be leaning on first-team All-MIAA player Gunnar Elder (Sr., A, East Grand Rapids, Mich.) in their bid for an MIAA postseason berth.

On Feb. 10, Hope will take the field for the first action of the 2017 season, with Albion and Olivet starting their seasons the following weekend. The 2017 MIAA Tournament is slated for May 4 and 6; semifinal action will be at the top two seeds from the regular season play, with the championship game hosted by the highest remaining seed.