USA Lacrosse Magazine announced Tuesday its Division II Women’s Preseason Positional Players of the Year, honoring the best of the best at each position ahead of the upcoming 2022 spring season.

Four athletes earned preseason positional recognition — one attacker, one midfielder, one defender and one goalie. This one day after the Division II Women’s Preseason All-Americans were announced.

Stay tuned Wednesday for the reveal of the Division II Women’s Preseason Player of the Year.

PRESEASON ATTACKER OF THE YEAR
KYLEIGH PEOPLES, REGIS

Returning for her fifth year, Peoples has a strong chance to finish as Regis’ all-time leader in goals, assists, and points. Her 93-point total last year (56g-37a) was fourth best in the nation and included 12 games in which she tallied five points or more.

PRESEASON MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
PEYTON ROMIG, UINDY

Romig has been a force on the draw since her freshman campaign and has the records to back it up. She owns the NCAA D2 single-season record of 229 draw controls, set in 2019, and also the NCAA record for draw controls per game, 12.50, set last season.

PRESEASON DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
ALYSSA KNEEDLER, LINDENWOOD

A superb athlete with great instincts, Kneedler emerged as a shutdown defender in LU’s march to the 2021 national championship. She shined brightest in the NCAA final, neutralizing Queens’ leading scorer Ally Blood and holding her scoreless for the first time all season.

PRESEASON GOALIE OF THE YEAR
PAIGE CRANDALL, LE MOYNE

Crandall established herself as one of the nation’s best in her first season as a starter in 2021, posting a 6.13 goals against average, third best in the nation. She allowed just 72 goals in 14 games, and finished with a .574 save percentage, second best in the nation.