College Hockey America (CHA) released its 2012-13 coaches preseason poll on Wednesday morning. Lindenwood was picked fifth out of six teams with 12 total points.

Mercyhurst was picked first in the preseason poll, earning 33 points, just one ahead of Robert Morris. Mercyhurst took home the regular season crown for the 2011-12 season, but was defeated in the College Hockey America championship contest to Robert Morris. Syracuse was picked third in the poll with 25 points. RIT was fourth after earning just one more point than Lindenwood. Penn State rounded out the poll with 11 points.

Lindenwood will be competing in the CHA for the first time this upcoming season and will join RIT and Penn State as new members of the league. The Lady Lions will play every team in the league four times in the regular season, and in March, will compete in the CHA Tournament.

The Lady Lions, who are beginning their second season of NCAA Division I competition, will open up the 2012-13 season with a non-conference series at Ohio State on Sept. 28 and 29.