ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum University men's lacrosse team has been picked to finish seventh in the South Atlantic Conference preseason coaches poll, released Wednesday.

The Pioneers were 4-3 overall and 1-0 during the abbreviated 2020 season, and return seven starters from last year's squad along with nine of the top 11 goals scorers from a year ago.

Lenoir-Rhyne received 10 of 11 first-place votes and earned 110 points to take the top spot in the poll, followed by first-year SAC member and perennial Division II power Limestone in second place with 100 points. Wingate received the other first-place vote and is third with 90 points, followed by Queens (86 points), Catawba (71) and Coker (59) in positions four through six.

The Pioneers received 57 points and are seventh in the poll, trailed by Newberry (49 points), Mars Hill (40), Lincoln Memorial (31) and first-year program Anderson in 11th with 22 points.

Tusculum will open its 2021 season on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Alderson Broaddus, and plays its conference opener on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at Mars Hill. The Pioneers play their home opener on Saturday, March 6 against Newberry.

2021 SAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll