WESTFIELD, Mass. – Reigning Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) co-champion Plymouth State University was picked to finish fourth by the league's head coaches, as the conference announced the results of its annual Preseason Coaches' Poll on Thursday.
 
Plymouth State, which shared the conference title last fall with Framingham State and Anna Maria, accumulated 44 points and one first-place vote to rank fourth behind Bridgewater State (46) and ahead of Mass. Maritime (42). The Panthers did not receive a postseason berth last season due to the conference's tie-breaking rules.
 
Framingham State and UMass Dartmouth shared the top spot in the poll with four first-place votes and 59 points apiece.
 
The bottom half of the poll includes Worcester State (27), Westfield State (22), Fitchburg State (16) and Dean (9).
 
Head coach Paul Castonia returns for his 24th season. Last fall, he led the Panthers to an 8-2 record, including 7-2 in league play, marking a ninth straight season of .500 or better in conference action and the team's second MASCAC title.
 
The Panthers got out to a hot start with wins in their first five games, including a 47-46 overtime win over Worcester State in the home opener. PSU fell to Anna Maria, 35-28, in a back-and-forth battle, but rebounded with victories over Westfield State, Framingham State and Fitchburg State to head into the final week with a chance to win the conference outright. UMass Dartmouth upended the Panthers for its 26th straight home win, leaving Plymouth State, Anna Maria and Framingham State tied atop the league standings.
 
For the second straight season, the MASCAC will look different as the league is reduced to nine teams following Anna Maria's closing. The Panthers will play an eight-game league schedule, plus non-conference games against New England College and Framingham State. The winner of the conference will be awarded the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Plymouth State kicks off the season at home against New England College on Sept. 5, before opening MASCAC play at Worcester State in week two. The Panthers' bye comes in Week 7 (Oct. 24).