Bridgewater College has named Matt OToole as its new head mens soccer coach for the 2009 season. OToole succeeds Anthony Nino Altomonte, who resigned following the completion of the 2008 season.
Sophomore defender Michael Stark was named to the NSCAA All-American Third Team following the 2008 campaign. He is the first All-American for the mens soccer program at Roanoke since Donny Smith in 2005 and the ninth overall.
Virginia Wesleyan striker Brandon Massie was named the ODAC Mens Soccer Player of the Year for the second straight season. Also receiving honors were Roanoke's Scott Allison (COY) and Michael Stark (ROY) and Bridgewater's Chris Thomas (Scholar-Athlete).
Virginia Wesleyan led 3-1 at one point in its NCAA Tournament first round matchup with N.C. Wesleyan, but the Bishops' tied the score with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime and eventually win the game, 4-3.
Virginia Wesleyan's Robbie Mann scored the game's lone goal in the 56th minute to propel the Marlins past Roanoke and earn the squad its ninth ODAC title. VWC heads to the NCAA D-III Tournament as the league's automatic qualifier.
Roanoke College enters the ODAC Mens Soccer Tournament on several highs as Tuesdays 9-1 win over Bridgewater College secured the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the conference postseason tournament. Lynchburg College earned the second seed while Virginia Wesleyan College and Hampden-Sydney College round out the top four.
Each of the top three teams in the 2008 ODAC Mens Soccer Preseason Poll received multiple first place votes from the leagues coaches. Virginia Wesleyan College topped the annual survey with 112 total poll points and five top selections. Roanoke College, the 2007 ODAC Tournament champion, garnered 106 points and three high marks while Hampden-Sydney College sits in third with 101 points and the remaining trio of first place votes.