Randolph-Macon Tabbed Second, Bridgewater and Shenandoah Tight for Third
FOREST, Va. --- Lynchburg College collected
eight first place votes and 64 total points to lead the 2014 ODAC
Field Hockey preseason poll. Randolph-Macon College picked up 55
tallies, including the remaining top consideration. Bridgewater
College edged out Shenandoah University by one point with 45
markers to take the third position.
The 2013 campaign saw Lynchburg win its eighth straight and
ODAC-record 17th overall field hockey crown with a 2-0 triumph over
Randolph-Macon in the ODAC Tournament championship game. The two
teams have faced each other in the final for the past four seasons.
The Hornets’ postseason continued as they hosted Centre
College for a first round game in the NCAA Division III Field
Hockey tournament, but LC was knocked out early after CC defeated
the Hornets, 1-0.
Lynchburg (16-5 overall, 8-0 ODAC) returns three of seven all
conference players from a season ago. Courtney Gillette will
lead the Hornets’ defensive unit after registering four goals
and one assist en route to earning All-ODAC Second Team accolades
in 2013. All-ODAC Third Team attackers Katie Kline (11 g, 9 ast)
and Kelsey Link (12 g, 1 ast) are also back to lead a potent LC
offense. Other returning teammates up top include Morgan Lammando
(8 g, 7 ast) and Catherine Rogerson (5 g, 4 ast). Midfielder Abby
Bunting (5 g, 1 ast) will also add a spark at both ends of the
field.
Randolph-Macon (11-10, 6-2) welcomes back all but one of its four
all-conference players from the 2013 campaign. The Yellow Jackets
will be led by an experienced senior class including midfielder
Carrie Jacobs (12 g, 7 ast), who garnered All-ODAC First Team
honors last season. The two other seniors who received
all-conference recognition include second team attack Rachel
Gardner (5 g, 5 ast) and third team midfielder Olivia Newman (3 g,
12 ds). Midfielder Catherine Pricone (16 g, 1 ast) was the Yellow
Jackets’ leading scorer last year and looks to continue
adding marks in the goals category.
Bridgewater (12-7, 5-3) enjoys the return of three all-league
players, one from each team. Senior midfielder Caroline
Augsburger (8 g, 7 ast) collected first team accolades last year
after leading the Eagles with 23 points. Attack Taylor Prillaman (9
g, 4 ast) led BC in goals and earned second team honors, while
midfielder Rachael Loy picked up third team recognition after
recording seven goals and two assists. Caroline Fletcher (1 g, 1
ast) and Kaitlyn Harris return to anchor the Eagles’
defense.
Shenandoah (10-10, 6-2) and reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Ashley
Smeltzer-Kraft return a wealth of talent including the 2013 ODAC
Player of the Year, attack Ashley Cross. Cross led the league in
points (34) and tied for first in goals in the conference with 16
tallies. Joining Cross on the first team was midfielder
Presha Merritt (2 g, 6 ast). Attack Kelani Bailey posted nine goals
and dished out three assists to earn second team honors, while
defender Sarah Brock (5 g, 4 ast) led SU’s backline and
collected third team accolades. Alana Meadows (1 ast, 6 ds) joins
Brock in the back to help spearhead the Hornets’ defense.
Eastern Mennonite University (4-15, 4-4) will open the season with
a well-oiled machine, including all three all-ODAC players
returning from a season ago. Seniors Mandy Stowers (1 g, 10
defensive saves) and Bethany Hench (2 ds) return to the defense
after earning first and second team accolades, respectively.
Attack Jenessa Derstine (7 g, 4 ast) led the Royals last season
with 18.
Roanoke College (3-13, 2-6) welcomes back two of its three
all-conference honorees from the 2013 campaign. Stacy Bechtel (1
ds) earned second team honors for her efforts as a Maroons’
defender, while midfielder Shelbi Holloman (5 g, 2 ast) was tabbed
to the third team in her rookie campaign. Goalkeeper Candice Fisher
(123 sv, 2.95 gaa) returns to direct RC’s defensive unit,
while attack Kellie Jasinski (6 g, 2 ast) is back after leading
Roanoke in points (14) and goals (6) as a freshman.
Virginia Wesleyan College (7-8, 2-6) enters its second season under
the direction of head coach Christina Restivo. Restivo returns one
all-conference honoree in goalkeeper Lindsay Baker (70 sv, 1.99
gaa), who collected third team accolades. The Marlins’
top three scorers are gone due to graduation, but they will turn to
players such as midfielders Skyler Weaver (3 g, 1 ast) and Danielle
Pellerin (1 g, 2 ast), as well as attack Asiah Allen (1 g, 1 ast)
to spearhead VWC’s scoring efforts this season.
Washington and Lee University (5-15, 3-5) features reigning ODAC
Rookie of the Year, defender Noelani Schulmeyer (3 g, 1 ast, 8 ds),
in Lexington this fall. The Generals will turn to attackers
Charlotte MacDonald (4 g, 3 ast) and Candice Stefanic (4 g, 1 ast)
to produce on the other end of the field, while midfielder Lindsey
Purpura (3 g, 2 ast) will put in work at both ends of the playing
surface.
Sweet Briar College (1-13, 0-8) will have a new look this year as
first year head coach Hannah Lott takes over the reins. Lott
welcomes back defender Eve Mergenthaler, who led the league with 13
defensive saves. The Vixens will also look to midfielder
Allison McLamb (2 g) and attack Hannah Oybkhan (2 g) to guide the
offense this season.
The 2014 season begins on August 29 with non-conference
competition. For more information, 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 FIELD HOCKEY PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Lynchburg (8) | 64 pts. |
2. Randolph-Macon (1) | 55 pts. |
3. Bridgewater | 45 pts. |
4. Shenandoah | 44 pts. |
5. Eastern Mennonite | 33 pts. |
6. Roanoke | 25 pts. |
6. Virginia Wesleyan | 25 pts. |
6. Washington and Lee | 25 pts. |
9. Sweet Briar | 8 pts. |