via FIT press release   SPARKS, Md. – Coming off a second consecutive run to the NCAA Quarterfinals, the Florida Tech women’s lacrosse team opens the 2019 season with its highest preseason ranking in program history at No. 7 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20. The Crimson and Gray are coming off their best season in program history in 2018. Tech went 17-3 last season including a 5-1 record in the SSC. The Panthers rattled off a 15-game winning streak and were rank as high as No. 5 in the nation during the season. Joining Florida Tech in the preseason Top 20 are fellow Sunshine State Conference members Florida Southern (No. 3) and Rollins (No. 12). Additionally, the Panthers will face No. 2 Adelphi and No. 11 Limestone this season. Florida Tech will have a new face at the helm of the program in McKenzie Rafferty, who takes over after Corinne Desrosiers departed for Duquesne University this summer. This will be Rafferty’s first season as a head coach. She spent the past two seasons as the assistant coach at Regis University, where she helped guide the Rangers to consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a final four appearance last season. The women’s lacrosse team opens the season on Friday, Feb. 15 with a road game at Lenoir-Rhyne. The matchup between the Panthers and Bears is slated to begin at 5 p.m. at Moretz Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina. For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech women’s lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.