FORT WORTH, Texas -- After a 12-win season that resulted in the conference championship and a berth in the MCLA national tournament, Texas State has been deemed the favorite in the Lone Star Alliance according to the league's coaches poll. The Bobcats will try to defend their crown on the weekend of April 23-24 in San Antonio.

The race for a repeat won't be easy. Texas State will have to subdue several LSA contenders, led by Southern Methodist. The Mustangs twice played the Bobcats to within a goal before bowing. SMU sits in second place in the preseason poll while Oklahoma and Texas round out the top four.

“I’m flattered my colleagues in the LSA have ranked us first in the preseason poll," said second-year Texas State coach Kyle Saunders. "Unfortunately, it means very little as we have a lot of guys to replace due to graduation. Our focus remains inward, improving where we need to both on the field and as an organization. Hopefully we'll get better in both of those areas and be in the LSA hunt again at the end of the season."

2016 LSA Preseason Coaches Poll