FOREST, Va. --- Lynchburg College collected six first place votes on the way to 78 total poll points to headline the 2014 ODAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll.  LC is followed closely by reigning conference champion Roanoke College, which secured four top nods and 76 tallies.  Washington and Lee University rounds out the top three with 64 points in the annual coach's survey.

Roanoke staved off a three-goal fourth quarter comeback from Washington and Lee in the 2013 conference title game to claim a league-record 18th championship with a 10-9 win.  The Maroons, automatic qualifiers in the NCAA Division III Tournament thanks to its third crown in the last four years, were joined by Lynchburg and W&L on the national stage.

All three schools hosted and won first round games, with LC defeating St. Mary's College (Md.), 6-5, RC dropping Centre College, 21-4, and W&L thumping Sewanee, 19-6.  Roanoke and W&L were again tabbed to host in the second round, with Lynchburg making the 55-mile trip to Salem to meet the Maroons.  The Hornets got the best of RC, 12-9, while the Generals were eliminated by Salisbury University, 7-4.  LC again went on the road for its quarterfinal matchup, this time traveling to Stevenson University for a place in the national semifinals.  The Mustangs topped the Hornets via a 13-7 decision.

ODAC squads and returning student-athletes are heavily represented on preseason awards lists and polls from both Face-off Yearbook Magazine and Lacrosse Magazine.  Lynchburg, Roanoke and Washington and Lee all have received rankings in both outlets preseason polls.  Face-off slots LC ninth, RC 11th and W&L 13, while Lacrosse Magazine rates the Maroons as eighth, the Hornets as 12th and the Generals in 13th position.

Seven players have been recognized as Face-off Yearbook Magazine Preseason All-Americans, led by Lynchburg defenseman Jon Gill on the second team.  The remaining six earned honorable mention distinction.  That list includes midfielder Thomas Armstong from Hampden-Sydney College, goalkeeper Charles Pease from Roanoke College, Virginia Wesleyan College attackers Josh Currier and Nick Pappas, and midfielder Garrett Paglia and goalkeeper Warren Berenis from Washington and Lee.

Roanoke (16-4, 9-0) and reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Bill Pilat, welcome back four of their eight all-conference honorees from 2013, led by first team goalie Pease (197 SV, 9.04 GAA).  RC's backline also features a pair of all-conference defenseman in second teamer Troy Grogan (38 GB, 14 CT, 4 G) and third team choice Wes Pancoast (39 GB, 17 CT, 2 A).  Third team attack Will Pilat (32 G, 21 A, 21 GB) and fellow frontrunner Tyler McWilliams (31 G, 31 A, 42 GB) highlight an offense that led the ODAC with 280 goals scored.  Clarke Lewis (56 GB, 4 G, 1 A, 94-of-191 F/O) won nearly 50-percent of his face-offs taken a season ago.

The Maroons start play with a scrimmage on February 8th against Mary Washington in Donald J. Kerr Stadium.  That's scheduled for a 2:00 PM start.  Roanoke will then host #16 St. Mary's on February 16th at 2:00 PM, followed by #15 Denison on February 26th, also at 2:00 PM.

The 2014 men's lacrosse season begins on Tuesday, February 11.  For more information on ODAC men's lacrosse, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.

2014 ODAC MEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes

1. Lynchburg (6)	78 pts.
2. Roanoke (4)	76 pts.
3. Washington and Lee	64 pts.
4. Hampden-Sydney	53 pts.
5. Virginia Wesleyan	48 pts.
6. Randolph-Macon	47 pts.
7. Guilford	33 pts.
8. Randolph	25 pts.
9. Bridgewater	16 pts.
10. Shenandoah	10 pts.