LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Atlantic Lacrosse Conference Division I has expanded to 11 teams this coming spring, but Liberty is still the favorite to win the league in 2022, according to the preseason coaches poll.

The Flames, who won a pared down conference tournament last spring, snagged 10 of the 11 first-place votes, finishing with a 120 total points.

Next in line are Clemson at No. 2 and Virginia following at No. 3. The Tigers were awarded the remaining first-place votes while the Hokies were just five total points behind Clemson.

Rounding out the top four is North Carolina State.

Pittsburgh, one of the three new teams to join the ALC, checks in at No. 5 followed by West Virginia.

James Madison – in its inaugural season in the MCLA – is tied for seventh with Tennessee. Just one point behind that duo is Temple, which left the Continental Lacrosse Conference (CLC) with Pitt to join the ALC.

East Carolina George Washington round out the poll.

The ALC will have an automatic qualifying berth in the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance, which will be held at the Round Rock (Texas) Multipurpose Complex from May 9-14.

2022 ALC Division I Preseason Coaches Poll