The William Smith lacrosse team is ranked fifth in the first Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Poll of the season. The organization released the first poll of the season yesterday.
 
This is the second top 10 ranking for the Herons this month. Last week William Smith was ranked eighth in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Poll.
 
The Herons went 20-4 last season on their way to reaching the national semifinals for the second straight year. William Smith returns seven of the 12 starters from its semifinal game against Salisbury.
 
The returning group is headlined by 2024 IWLCA second team All-American Natalie Daniels and three-time USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American Maura Smeader. In 24 games last year, Daniels had 78 goals, 13 assists and 91 points. She also had a William Smith single season record 128 draw controls. Smeader was 19-4 overall with a 7.58 GAA and a .485 save percentage.
 
The Herons are scheduled to open their season on Feb. 22, at Geneseo. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.