SAN DIEGO – In a tight poll that saw four different teams receive first place votes, Cal State San Marcos was tabbed as the favorite in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference’s Division II preseason coaches poll.

The Cougars (13-3) edged out second place Northern Arizona (10-2) by three points and defending conference champion Cal State Fullerton (10-5) by four. San Diego (9-2) rounded out the top four.

San Marcos had the least amount of first place votes with one, but NAU (2), Fullerton (4) or San Diego (2) had the consistent polling to catch last year’s runner-up.

“SLC Division II has always been competitive and that won’t change this year,” said conference director Matt Holman. “We have five really strong programs and a couple more that are primed to take the next step.”

Both defending champion Fullerton and runner-up San Marcos qualified for the 2018 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour while Northern Arizona was just on the outside of the final 16 qualifiers.

2019 SLC Division II Preseason Poll