HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker College men's lacrosse team has been ranked fifth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, the league office announced today.

In the program's second year, the Cobras finished last season 5-10 with a 1-5 conference record. Along with the preseason ranking, five players were named to the SAC preseason all-conference teams.

Attacker Ryan Maurer was named preseason first team all-conference. Maurer, a senior, racked up 27 goals and 29 assists last season as the top offensive weapon for the Cobras.

Midfielder Timothy Smith was named preseason second team all-conference. Smith, a senior, scored 14 goals last season while dishing out seven assists.

Defenders Max Baltzer and John Elliott were also named preseason second team all-conference. Baltzer, a senior, caused 11 ground balls last season while scooping up 17 ground balls. Elliot, a junior, caused seven turnovers last season while registering 27 ground balls.

Goalie Tim Ryan was also named preseason second team all-conference. Ryan, a junior, allowed 66 goals and had 75 saves in eight games last season.

Mars Hill College and Queens University of Charlotte tied for first in the poll with 45 points each. Mars Hill received four first-place votes while Queens tallied three. Lenoir Rhyne University was voted fourth and brought in the final first-place vote.

The entire preseason poll poll is as follows: 1. Mars Hill College; 2. Queens University of Charlotte; 3. Catawba College; 4. Lenoir-Rhyne University; 5. Coker College; 6. Wingate University; 7. Tusculum College; 8. Brevard College.

Release written by athletic media relations intern Aaron Beebe '15.