DALLAS – After being ranked third in the 2020 preseason poll, Southern Methodist has been tabbed the favorite in Division I of the Lone Star Alliance for the 2021 campaign, according to the coaches poll released on Tuesday.

The Mustangs, who wrapped up four first-place votes, were 4-0 and were receiving votes in the New Balance MCLA Weekly Coaches Poll when the 2020 season concluded.

SMU is followed by Texas A&M in the second chair. The Aggies – the preseason favorite in 2020 – snagged one first place vote.

Texas Christian is in the third spot followed by tie between LSU and Arkansas in fourth. LSU is the defending conference champion.

“We plan to leverage our momentum from the beginning of the 2020 season and carry our success into the spring of 2021,” said SMU coach Jason Gildea. “With our starting defensive unit returning and the LSA Defensive Player of the Year Prescott King in the goal, we are anxious to start playing ball again.

“The offense will be led by all-conference attackman Joe Doremus, LSA Rookie of the Year attackman Connor Cheetham and all-conference midfielder Reid Clemmenson.”

2021 LSA Division I Preseason Coaches Poll