Posted: Aug 27, 2008
ALEM, Va. --- Lynchburg College, winners of the past two ODAC field hockey championships, were selected by the league's coaches to win the title for a third consecutive time in the 2008 ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll. The Hornets garnered five first place votes and 60 total points. Eastern Mennonite University is just four points back (56 pts.) after picking up a pair of top marks. Washington and Lee University sits in third with 49 points and the remaining highest rank. Roanoke was picked sixth, just two points behind Virginia Wesleyan with 26 points.
Lynchburg (19-5 overall, 6-1 ODAC in 2007) rode its second seed in the ODAC tournament to a championship victory over Eastern Mennonite. Katie Brennan scored the game's only goal with just over ten minutes to play to send the Hornets to the NCAA postseason. Lynchburg trounced Centre College (Ky.), 5-0, in its first round matchup, but dropped its second round tilt with Lebanon Valley College, 2-1.
The Hornets return three of five All-ODAC athletes from a season ago including two-time league top scorer, Allie Weir. The junior attack has tallied 147 points in her first two seasons, scoring 65 goals while dishing out 21 assists. She beat the keeper 36 times in 2007 while handing out 10 helpers. Fellow first team selection Signey Milks is back for her second go-around in the Hornets' defensive third. She made one defensive save while pushing up for five points on one goal and three assists. Sophomore Jenny Weir earned second team accolades last year, notching 22 points on seven goals and eight assists.
Eastern Mennonite (10-7, 7-0) and 2007 ODAC Coach of the Year, Brenda Bechler, welcome back three of the four All-ODAC first team selections from last year's conference undefeated squad. Juniors Alyssa Derstine and Sarah Roth spearhead the front line after combining for 48 points last season. Derstine led the squad with 15 goals and six assists (36 points) while Roth scored four times while helping on four other goals (12 points). Kristina Landis, the 2007 ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete, steps back into the Royal defense after tallying two defensive saves to go with 13 points (four goals, five assists).
Washington and Lee (11-7, 5-2) returns two of its four all-conference performers from a season ago, but must also try to replace two-time ODAC Player of the Year, Kendall Korte. Junior attack Sallie Armstrong returns after an All-ODAC first team season in 2007. She led the Generals with 31 points on 15 goals and one assist. Senior defender Liz Garson, a second team choice last year, highlights the blue and white defense, and former ODAC Rookie of the Year, Emily Mathews, steps back into the W&L midfield for her second season. Garson scored once while handing out two assists. She and Mathews each had one defensive save.
Roanoke finished 3-11 last season and could have had a possible two more wins if Randolph and Mary Baldwin didn't discontinue their programs last fall. They lost a 2-1 overtime decision to Bridgewater last season and had only three home contests in 2007. They lost eight seniors but return Seniors Kristin Santella, Heather Paul and Emily Horner. Santella led the ODAC in defensive saves last season and will lead the defensive unit this fall. Paul is arguably the most talented offensive player returning this fall. Jessica Perkins will lead the attack this fall after leading the Maroons with six assists last season.
The 2008 season gets underway on Friday, August 29. This year's ODAC Championship is set for Saturday, November 8, at a site to be determined by the season's outcome.
Listed below is the ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll. For more information on field hockey and the rest of the league's sports, visit the ODAC on the Internet www.odaconline.com or any of the school websites.
2008 ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
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1. Lynchburg
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60 (5)
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2. Eastern Mennonite
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56 (2)
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3. Washington and Lee
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49 (1)
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4. Randolph-Macon
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40
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5. Virginia Wesleyan
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28
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6. Roanoke
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26
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7. Bridgewater
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20
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8. Sweet Briar
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9
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