BALTIMORE, Md.- The Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team is the number one team in Lacrosse Magazine's Division II preseason Top 10 rankings. After winning the NCAA championship last season, the Lakers are favorites to repeat in 2012.
 
Coach Chris Ryan's group went 14-2 in 2011, defeating Adelphi, 9-8, in the national title match. It marked the program's first NCAA championship. Hurst lost several key components from last year, including goalie Zach Nash. However, junior Brian Scheetz and senior Greg Bensman are back to try for a repeat.
 
Lacrosse Magazine picked Mercyhurst as the top team going into the season. National runner-up Adelphi is second, with Limestone third. C.W. Post, Le Moyne, Dowling, and NYIT are tabbed 4-7. Mercy, Merrimack, and Pfeiffer round out the top 10.
 
The Lakers face a tough schedule in 2012, taking on five foes in the top 10. Hurst heads to Wingate (N.C.) February 25 to start the season.