UAlbany men's lacrosse out with something to prove

Even with the losses, UAlbany is still expected to reign as America East Conference champion again. The Great Danes were picked first in the preseason coaches poll on Thursday for the seventh straight year.

But this time it doesn't feel like a foregone conclusion. They were only picked by one point over Stony Brook, which got as many first-place votes (three) as the Great Danes did. Maryland-Baltimore County, which upset then-No. 1 UAlbany last year, got the other first-place vote and is chosen fourth.

But if others' expectations are lower, the players say they keep the bar at the same height.

"It always is,'' senior midfielder Jack Burgmaster said. "Each and every year, we have the same expectations. Go in, take each game by game and get better throughout the season. Our overall goal is to win the national championship, but you've got to get there. First goal is go out and win the conference."