CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – With the start of conference play approaching, Montclair State University has been picked as the team to beat in the Skyline Conference in 2010.  The Red Hawks, who have not lost a regular-season conference game since 2007, were selected by the conference coaches as the favorite for the 2010 title.

Montclair State received six first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own teams).  Kean (29 points) edged Richard Stockton (28) for second.  Farmingdale State was picked fourth with 19 points.  Maritime, Mount Saint Vincent and Bard, a first-year program, round out the seven teams.

Last season, Montclair State captured its first-ever Skyline Conference men's lacrosse title and NCAA tournament bid.  The Red Hawks, who went 5-0 in regular-season play, rallied to beat rival Kean, 7-6, in the conference championship game.  Montclair State returns the bulk of its championship squad.  Sophomore attack Tyler Meth, who earned Skyline Rookie of the Year honors last season, led the team with 49 goals and 62 points.  Taylor Bonner (32 goals) and Robert Sinicola (26 goals) give the Red Hawks an experienced offense.  Montclair will have to replace goalkeeper Thomas Bowers, who earned Skyline Player of the Year honors as a senior last season.

Kean was one of the league's top defensive teams last season, holding opponents to 7.20 goals per game.  All-conference goalkeeper John Gesumaria leads the Cougar defense.  Offensively, the team's top three scorers - Anthony Bertucci, C.J. Gannon, and Scott Leathem all return.

Stockton, which finished second during the regular-season a year ago, will have a new leader this season.  Former player and assistant coach Kevin Zulauf takes over for long-time head coach Dick Rizk, who retired following the 2009 season.  Leading scorer Josh Dybus returns for the Ospreys, but Stockton will have to replace Keith Bologno and Matt Bell, two of last season's top four scorers.

2010 SKYLINE CONFERENCE
MEN'S LACROSSE COACHES’ POLL

1. Montclair State   (6) 36 
2. Kean              (1) 29 
3. Richard Stockton      28 
4. Farmingdale State     19
5. Maritime              16
6. Mount Saint Vincent   13 
7. Bard                   6 

(first-place votes in parentheses)