Lacrosse Magazine, the flagship publication of US Lacrosse, has released its annual preseason college rankings, predicts Maryland to win its second straight NCAA Division I women’s championship.

Maryland’s Karri Ellen Johnson is Lacrosse Magazine’s preseason player of the year for Division I women’s lacrosse, with the Terps also pulling the No. 1 ranking in its preseason poll, the publication announced Monday.

Johnson, a junior attacker, led Maryland in goals (69) and draws (71) and developed into a standout defender who caused 24 turnovers and scooped 27 ground balls. Johnson capped the 2010 season in fine fashion, scoring three times in the Terps’ 13-11, streak bustin triumph of Northwestern in the national championship game.

Northwestern is ranked No. 2 by LM entering the 2011 season, followed by North Carolina, Duke and Syracuse.

NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN

1. Maryland
2. Northwestern
3. North Carolina
4. Duke
5. Syracuse
6. Georgetown
7. Virginia
8. Penn
9. James Madison
10. Notre Dame
11. Vanderbilt
12. Stanford
13. Loyola
14. Dartmouth
15. Penn State
16. Towson
17. Florida
18. Princeton
19. Boston College
20. Hofstra

Preseason Player of the Year: Karri Ellen Johnson, Maryland