In Division I, the defending champion Princeton Tigers find themselves in a familiar position-atop the poll. The Tigers won their second consecutive NCAA title with an 8-7 victory in extra time against the Virginia Cavaliers in 2003. The 2004 version will be led by All-American Theresa Sherry, a Honda Award favorite. Two-year starter Sarah Kolodner returns to the cage, and USA team member Lindsey Biles also returns for Chris Sailer's Tigers, who had 13 first-place votes. Three ACC schools rank second-fourth, led by NCAA semifinalists Maryland and Virginia, who are separated by just two points. Virginia and Duke picked up the other two first-place votes. Maryland returns Midfielder of the Year Kelly Coppedge while the Cavaliers welcome back All-Americans Amy Appelt and Cary Chasney.

In Division II, the Stonehill Chieftains remain on top of the poll after winning the NCAA title in 2003. The Northeast-10 champions, who garnered seven of the eight first-place votes, defeated Longwood for the school's first-ever NCAA title in May last year, and welcome back All-Americans Erin Acone and Colby Confer for their title defense. First-time NCAA participant Bloomsburg is ranked second after earning the school's first lacrosse bid in 2003 and is led by the All-American sister duo of Marcie and Sheila Zilinksi. The Huskies earned the eighth first-place vote. C. W. Post, the 2001 NCAA Champion, ranks third while fellow Long Island school Adelphi ranks fourth. Note that Longwood University and UC Davis are transitioning to Division I and are not eligible for the IWLCA Division II poll.

In Division III, NCAA finalist Middlebury edged the 2003 NCAA Champion Amherst for the top spot in the preseason poll, but just two points separates these two in the preseason poll. Middlebury will be captained by All-American Nuala O'Donohoe, while Amherst will be led by All-American Liz Martin. Amherst had more first place votes (8-6) than their conference rivals, with former champ The College of New Jersey, who ranks third, taking the other first place vote. TCNJ welcomes back Midfielder of the Year Katie Wagenblast to the field. Three points separate the next three teams, with Salisbury edging William Smith and Williams. The Sea Gulls won the CAC in 2003 while William Smith advanced to the semifinals last season. Williams finished third in the NESCAC and also participated in the NCAA tournament in 2003.

Division I
1st
No Team Points Place Prev
1 Princeton 296 13 5
2 Maryland 270 2
3 Virginia 268 1 3
4 Duke 260 1 4
5 Loyola 229 1
6 Georgetown 221 6
7 Dartmouth 207 7
8 James Madison 174 8
9 Ohio State 157 11
10 Penn State 138 13
11 North Carolina 135 14
12 Boston University 121 20
13 Syracuse 109 10
14 Stanford 99 15
15 Cornell 89 12
16 Vanderbilt 88 18
17 Notre Dame 72 16
18 Yale 56 9
19 Old Dominion 51 19
20 Johns Hopkins 48 17
Received votes: Richmond, Ohio University, Delaware, Northwestern, Connecticut, George Mason, Rutgers, Temple, Boston College, and Massachusetts.

Division II
1st
No Team Points Place Prev
1 Stonehill 79 7 2
2 Bloomsburg 66 1 5
3 C.W. Post 59 3
4 Adelphi 49 6
5 Limestone 48 7
6 West Chester 46 8
7 Gannon 36 10
8 Lock Haven 14 NR
9 Philadelphia 10 9
10 Millersville 8 NR
Received votes: Regis, Mercyhurst, East Stroudsburg, Bryant, Saint Michael's, Pfeiffer, Shippensburg, and Bentley.

Division III
1st
No Team Points Place Prev

1 Middlebury 291 6 1
2 Amherst 289 8 3
3 College of New Jersey 273 1 2
4 Salisbury 225 5
5 William Smith 223 7
6 Williams 222 6
7 Gettysburg 209 4
8 Mary Washington 198 8
9 Washington & Lee 155 10
10 St. Mary's (MD) 137 9
11 Ithaca 124 13
12 Cortland 118 15
13 Franklin & Marshall 112 12
14 Colby 102 11
15 Bowdoin 97 14
16 Skidmore 73 17
17 Union 55 18
18 Colorado College 51 19
19 Ursinus 45 NR
20 Trinity (CT) 38 16
Received votes: Hamilton, Drew, Washington College, Randolph-Macon, Rowan, St. Lawrence, Montclair State, Roanoke, Trinity (DC), Scranton, Stevens, Oneonta, Nazareth, Eastern Connecticut, and Wooster.