PUEBLO, Colo. (March 4, 2021) – The Colorado State University Pueblo women's lacrosse team was picked to finish fourth in the 2021 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll. Three members of the ThunderWolves were selected as RMAC Players to Watch. 
 
CSU Pueblo opens the 2021 season March 5 at Maryville University and then continues the weekend road trip March 7 at McKendree University. Both game times are scheduled for 10 a.m. MST. 
 
The Pack totaled 21 points in the poll for fourth. Regis University was first with six first place votes and 36 points. Colorado Mesa University was second with 29 points and the final first place vote. University of Colorado Colorado Springs was third with 24 points. 
 
Seniors Emily Eller (A, Keller, Texas), Ane Marie Horton (G, Long Beach, Calif.) and Britney Smith (D, Oregon City, Ore.) were all named RMAC Players to Watch.
 
ABOUT THE PACK
 
* The ThunderWolves went 1-4 last year before the season was abruptly canceled due to the pandemic. In 2019, the Pack went 6-8 overall and went 4-5 in conference play to record the most league wins in program history. 
 
* CSU Pueblo has 15 student-athletes returning from last semester and are joined by 13 newcomers. All student-athletes from last year's squad were granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. Because of the additional year, it makes the roster make up strong on the freshman side, as 18 players are listed as freshmen. The Pack also have a strong senior class with six student-athletes planning on playing their final season.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
 
• The ThunderWolves will play Maryville for the first time in program history. The Saints compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and were picked to finish seventh in the preseason coaches' poll. 
 
• Maryville has one game played this season, an 18-8 home loss to Northern Michigan. The Saints went 3-2 last season before the shutdown and were 2-13 in 2019. 
 
• The Pack and McKendree have played four times since the start of the program in 2015. CSU Pueblo is 1-3 against the Bearcats with a 12-8 win in 2016. Last year, the two teams went down to the wire, as McKendree won 17-16 in a neutral site contest. Emily Eller scored four times for the ThunderWolves. 
 
• The Bearcats also play in the GLVC and were picked to finish third in the preseason poll. McKendree is 2-1 so far this season, went 4-3 last year and were 11-7 in 2019. 
 
RMAC PLAYERS TO WATCH BIOS
 
Emily Eller, Sr., A, Keller, Texas / Keller HS
 
2020: Started all five games … Was leading the RMAC in goals scored with 17 … Led the team with 17 points and put 24 of her 28 shots on goal (.857) … Totaled 18 draw controls in five games to lead the team … Brought in 13 ground balls for second on the squad, while her seven caused turnovers was good for a tie for second … Scored seven free position goals on eight free position shots … Academic All-RMAC Honor Roll.
 
Ane Marie Horton, Sr., G, Long Beach, Calif. / Los Alamitos HS

2020: Started all five games … Led NCAA Division II with 14.4 saves per game … Totaled 72 saves and posted a .497 save percentage … Went 1-4 with a 15.4 goals against average … Added 16 ground balls, which led the team … A 2019 All-RMAC Second Team selection.
 
Britney Smith, Sr., D., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS
 
2020: Started all five games … Recorded 11 ground balls and caused six turnovers … Totaled four ground balls and three caused turnovers against McKendree (March 8).
 
-- PACK --