The University of Maine received its first-ever ranking in The Sports Network Preseason Top 25 on Monday in a vote by national media and sports information directors.

The Black Bears garnered a No. 13 ranking while three other members in the Atlantic 10 also were picked: William & Mary (No. 9), Hofstra (15), and Delaware (22).

Maine finished 9-3 overall last season with a 7-2 mark in the A-10 and won the school’s first football playoff victory, 14-10 over McNeese State in the opening round of the Division 1-AA playoffs. The Bears were also co-champs in the A-10.

The Bears return 14 starters, including senior linebacker Stephen Cooper, the A-10 co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.

Maine opens its season on Aug. 31 in a non-league game against Central Connecticut State at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. The Bears open their league schedule the next week on Sept. 7 when they host William & Mary at Alfond Stadium in Orono at 6 p.m.

William & Mary’s No. 9 ranking Monday marks the second time it has opened the season in the top 10 as well as its highest preseason ranking since 1997 when the Tribe opened the season No. 4.

Montana was the top-ranked team in the poll followed by Appalachian State, Northern Iowa, Eastern Illinois and Georgia Southern.

Cronin continues career

Former University of Maine women’s hockey goalie Mandy Cronin graduated in May, but her career in the sport isn’t over yet.

Cronin, 22, has signed a contract to play with the Telus Lightning, a team in Canada’s National Women’s Hockey League. The Lightning play in Durham County, Ontario, near Toronto.

Cronin said she had signed up to attend other tryout camps when the Lightning called to offer her a deal.

While the league is not officially allowed to pay players, Cronin said there are perks that go with the job, including a cell phone with free minutes and the ability to enter into promotional deals.

“I don’t have all the rules of the NCAA stopping me from getting personal sponsorships, and I could do commercials,” she said.

Cronin moved to York with her family when she was 3 and attended New Hampton Prep.

She set UMaine records for games played, saves and wins.

She said she’s looking forward to playing in a league full of Canadian Olympians, as well as several U.S.A. Olympians.

“Hopefully this will in the future become a paying job so girls can make a living playing hockey,” she said.

UMaine hires Benz, Lizzotte

The UMaine Athletic Department has hired Gretchen Benz as an assistant athletic trainer and Susan Lizzotte as an assistant swimming coach.

Benz joins UMaine from the University of Richmond where she has served as an athletic trainer since 1997. At Richmond, she spent the last year working primarily with the football and women’s lacrosse teams. She served as the primary athletic trainer for the women’s basketball and track and field teams from 1997-2001.

Benz graduated in 1995 from Western Michigan and received her master’s of education in sports management from the University of Georgia in 1997.

Lizzotte will join the UMaine swimming staff on a full-time basis this fall after serving as a part-time assistant coach since 1999. She also served as swim coach and assistant director of the Sam Sezak Summer Sports Camp at UMaine.

A 1999 UMaine graduate, Lizzotte served as captain of ’98-99 swim team and earned the Most Valuable Swimmer Award from ’96-99.

Khoury named UMFK coach

Melik Khoury, a star goalie for the UMaine-Fort Kent men’s soccer team in the late 1990s, has been named coach of the men’s soccer team, according to the school’s athletic director, Jim Graffam.

Khoury co-coached last season with Larry Murphy, who has retired.

“I am thrilled with the appointment. Melik has the dynamics and enthusiasm to be an outstanding college coach,” Graffam said. “It’s great that we can promote one of our own.”

Khoury, a native of Gambia, was twice named an All-American and an outstanding scholar-athlete while playing soccer at UMFK from 1995-98.

Khoury will lead the Bengals in their first year in the new Sunrise Conference.

“I believe I am very fortunate to take over the reigns from former head coach Larry Murphy, who set the foundation for the team,” Khoury said. “It is with his guidance and support that I’ve gained the composure that I need to succeed.”

Two years ago, Khoury returned to UMFK as assistant director of admissions and assistant coach of the women’s soccer team. He is now the school’s director of admissions.

Antonaccio gains AE position

Michael Antonaccio has been named assistant director for communications with the America East Conference, America East commissioner Chris Monasch announced Monday in Boston.