The Heart of America Athletic Conference men's lacrosse coaches selected their 2025 Heart Preseason Coaches' Poll, and for its inaugural season, William Woods University was selected fifth out of 10 teams with 46 votes, announced the conference office Friday.

Notably, the Owls are ahead of fellow Heart newcomer, rival Columbia College, picked sixth with 44 votes.

The Defending Heart conference tournament champion, No. 5 nationally ranked William Penn University, topped the poll, earning 80 votes, including eight first-place votes. (RV) Benedictine College was selected second with 74 votes, (RV) Saint Ambrose University third with 61 votes and Missouri Baptist University fourth with 49 votes.

This season, the Heart expanded to 10 men's lacrosse teams. The first-year members are Columbia, Missouri Baptist, Ottawa University, William Woods and Midland University.

The Owls open their inaugural season in front of their home fans, hosting No. 6 Indiana Institute of Technology at 1 p.m. Feb. 15 at North Campus Athletic Complex in Fulton.