BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 20, 2017) - On Thursday, the LIU Post men's lacrosse team was listed at No. 8 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Preseason Top-20 rankings.

It is the second major poll to place the Pioneers amongst the nation's best to start the 2017 campaign. The green and gold were listed at No. 9 in the Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook tally in December.

Reigning national champion Le Moyne was tabbed as the preseason favorite, with a host of Pioneer opponents well-represented in the Top-20.

The green and gold have five nationally-ranked opponents on their 2017 slate. They are No. 3 Merrimack (Feb. 18), No. 5 NYIT (Apr. 1), No. 7 Adelphi (Feb. 25), No. 11 Florida Southern (Feb. 6) and No. 17 Mercy (Apr. 12).

Head Coach John Jez and the Pioneers kick off the 2017 season on Friday, Feb. 7, when they face Saint Leo University in a non-conference showdown at 7 p.m. in Saint Leo, Fla.

2017 Nike/US Lacrosse Division II Preseason Top-20 Poll
1. Le Moyne
2. Limestone
3. Merrimack
4. Tampa
5. NYIT
6. Mercyhurst
7. Adelphi
8. LIU Post
9. Seton Hill
10. Mount Olive
11. Florida Southern
12. Lake Erie
13. Pace
14. Belmont Abbey
15. Lindenwood
16. Indianapolis
17. Mercy
18. Lenoir-Rhyne
19. Colorado Mesa
20. Lynn