Washington and Lee, Roanoke Round Out Top Three
FOREST, Va. --- Two-time defending ODAC champion University of Lynchburg opens the 2018 campaign as the favorite to hoist the program's fourth piece of conference hardware in the past five years as the Hornets stand atop the ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll.
Lynchburg earned nine first place votes from the league's head coaches on the way to securing 140 total points in the annual survey. Washington and Lee University sits second with 128 tallies and a trio of top nods, while Roanoke College rounds out the top-three with 122 markers including the remaining first place vote.
Eight of the conference's then 12 squads registered .500 or better winning percentages in 2017, leading to a conference tournament that featured four one-goal games of the seven contests. Eventual champion Lynchburg needed late heroics from ODAC Rookie of the Year Bhayle Kearns in the 106th minute for a 3-2 double-overtime victory over Randolph-Macon College in one semifinal. Washington and Lee joined the Hornets in the title game with a 4-1 semifinal win over Randolph College.
In the championship tilt, Lynchburg got a sixth minute goal from Jack Ashby and another inside the first minute of the second half from Fredy Flores to provide cover for an 87th minute tally by W&L's Tyler Runge. The 2-1 victory marked the Hornets' 16th men's soccer conference championship, the most in league history.
RELATED: 2017 ODAC Tournament Results
Lynchburg was joined by at-large selection Washington and Lee in the NCAA tournament bracket, affording the conference its third and fourth national field entries over the past two seasons. Both squads earned wins in the first round. Lynchburg, playing at home, took down Penn State-Abington, 3-0, before falling to Emory University, 1-0, in round two.
Washington and Lee also hosted early round competition and took advantage of the home venue with a 2-0 win over the University of Mary Washington in the opening contest. Goals were plentiful in round two against Oglethorpe University with the two squads playing to a 3-3 draw after 110 minutes of regulation and extra time. The Generals proved one better from the spot, advancing passed the Stormy Petrels, 5-4, on penalty kicks.
W&L saw its season come to a close in the sectional round in Chicago, Ill. The Generals fell 3-0 to host North Park University in a contest that featured poor weather conditions.
RELATED: 2017 NCAA Tournament Results
There will be plenty of opportunity for new athletes to make a name for themselves in 2018 with less than half of the 36 All-ODAC honorees from 2017 set to return to league rosters. That list does include seven All-ODAC First Team selections, with five each from the All-ODAC Second and Third Teams also back on team sheets.
The seven first teamers feature for five different schools. Lynchburg and Washington and Lee welcome back a pair each. The Hornets return four strong pieces to their defense led by centerback Austin Kues and goalkeeper Dylan McLaurin. That pairing, along with the return of second team outside back Ryan Pikunas and third team fullback Kearns, will help alleviate the loss from graduation of ODAC Player of the Year, centerback Nate Berning.
For Washington and Lee, Oliver Dolberg returns to his outside back position. He's joined by a fellow first teamer in midfielder Will Hamryka. Hamryka, along with the return of third team forwards Harry Pinkerton and Dylan Ritch, form the backbone of a strong attack.
The remaining first team returners cover the entire pitch. Eastern Mennonite University centerback Emmanuel Boamah is a two-time first team selection. Anthony Astruc is the string-puller and creative force out of the midfield for Randolph-Macon's attack. Forward Adam Watson has been a clutch goal-scorer for Randolph College the past two seasons with six of his 16 combined goals proving to be game-winners.
RELATED: 2017 All-ODAC Awards
New to the men's soccer ranks in 2018 is the addition of a 13th squad, Ferrum College. The Panthers officially became the ODAC's 15th full-time member institution over the summer. The men's soccer program, under the guidance of second-year head coach Enda Crehan, went 9-8-2 last season and earned a spot in the USA South Athletic Conference quarterfinals. The Panthers are led by All-USA South Second Team defender Graham Holley and playmaker Michael Lions.
The 2018 season begins with non-conference play on Friday, August 31. The first set of ODAC contests is slated for Wednesday, September 19. The ODAC Tournament, comprised of nine teams, opens with first round action on Friday, October 26 followed by the quarterfinals on Sunday, October 28. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and finals on Saturday-Sunday, November 3-4.
If you can't make it to the games, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio and statistics links.
Listed below is the 2018 ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC men's soccer programs and preseason interviews with Lynchburg head coach Chris Yeager and W&L head coach Mike Singleton. For more information on ODAC men's soccer, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, 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 and Instagram.
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2018 Poll Position: 7th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 7-10-1/4-4-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6/Eliminated in Quarterfinals (W&L, 2-0) Head Coach: Ryan Bennison Overall Record/Yrs: 55-67-4 (.453)/7 Record at BC/Yrs: 55-67-4 (.453)/7 ODAC Record/Yrs: 33-35-4 (.486)/7 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Thomas White (F) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 13 | Thomas White Goals: 5 | Thomas White Assists: 3 | Leo Alcantara/Thomas White Saves: 96 | Quentin Boric |
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2018 Poll Position: 8th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-7-0/4-5-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #8/Eliminated in Quarterfinals (LYN, 2-0) Head Coach: Dr. Roger Mast Overall Record/Yrs: 240-237-43 (.503)/27 Record at EMU/Yrs: 240-237-43 (.503)/27 ODAC Record/Yrs: 108-121-22 (.474)/27 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Emmanuel Boamoah (D) Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 9 | Dave Drafton/Caleb Oakes/Jesus Trejo Goals: 4 | Caleb Oakes/Jesus Trejo Assists: 3 | Joshua Chiquillo/Dave Drafton Saves: None |
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2018 Poll Position: 13th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 5-13-1/0-8-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Robert Richardson Overall Record/Yrs: 24-60-6 (.300)/5 Record at E&H/Yrs: 24-60-6 (.300)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 6-41-4 (.160)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 17 | Tyequis Stallins Goals: 7 | Tyequis Stallins Assists: 3 | Tyequis Stallins Saves: 63 | Cole Irvin |
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2018 Poll Position: 10th 2017 Records - Overall/USAS: 9-8-2/5-4-2 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Eliminated in Quarterfinals (N.C. Wesleyan, 2-0) Head Coach: Enda Crehan Overall Record/Yrs: 9-8-2 (.526)/1 Record at FC/Yrs: 9-8-2 (.526)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: First season Returning All-USAS Players First Team: None Second Team: Graham Holley (D) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 12 | Michael Lions Goals: 4 | Moore Dolue Assists: 6 | Michael Lions Saves: 51 | Derek Thomas |
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2018 Poll Position: 11th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 2-16-0/2-7-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Cory Speed Overall Record/Yrs: 9-25-3 (.284)/2 Record at GC/Yrs: 9-25-3 (.284)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 4-11-3 (.306)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 12 | Ricky Aguilar Goals: 5 | Ricky Aguilar Assists: 2 | Ricky Aguilar Saves: 57 | Zach Van Kampen |
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2018 Poll Position: 6th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-7-1/5-4-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5/Eliminated in Quarterfinals (R-MC, 2-1) Head Coach: Tommy DiNuzzo Overall Record/Yrs: 25-57-8 (.322)/5 Record at HSC/Yrs: 10-7-1 (.583)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 5-4-0 (.556)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 12 | Jacob Mann/Hunter Weiland Goals: 4 | Jacob Mann/Hunter Weiland Assists: 4 | Spell Carr/Jacob Mann/Hunter Weiland Saves: 38 | Gray Sutter |
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2018 Poll Position: 1st 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 18-2-2/8-0-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1/Champion (W&L, 2-1) 2017 NCAA Tournament: def. PSU-Abington (3-0) in 1st round; eliminated by Emory (1-0) in 2nd round Head Coach: Chris Yeager Overall Record/Yrs: 186-99-37 (.635)/16 Record at LC: 186-99-37 (.635)/16 ODAC Record/Yrs: 90-40-26 (.660)/16 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Austin Kues (D), Dylan McLaurin (GK) Second Team: Jack Ashby (M), Ryan Pikunas (D) Third Team: Bhayle Kearns (D-ROY), Ben Mackey (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 14 | Sherman Mitchell Goals: 6 | Sherman Mitchell Assists: 7 | Abibi Osman Saves: 63 | Dylan McLaurin |
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2018 Poll Position: 9th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-9-0/4-5-0 2016 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7/Eliminated in Semifinals (W&L, 4-1) Head Coach: Adam Godwin Overall Record/Yrs: First season Record at RAND/Yrs: First season ODAC Record/Yrs: First season Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Adam Watson (F) Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 21 | Adam Watson Goals: 9 | Adam Watson Assists: 5 | Evan Blow Saves: 37 | Erick Cortez-Martinez |
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2018 Poll Position: 4th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 14-3-1/6-2-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Eliminated in Semifinals (LC, 3-2 2OT) Head Coach: Josh Laux Overall Record/Yrs: 137-97-24 (.578)/14 Record at RMC/Yrs: 33-18-4 (.636)/3 ODAC Record/Yrs: 71-46-12 (.597)/14 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Anthony Astruc (M) Second Team: None Third Team: Paul Duffy (D) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 11 | Anthony Astruc Goals: 4 | Anthony Astruc Assists: 3 | Anthony Astruc/Paul Duffy/Christian Torres Saves: 56 | Brian Breslin |
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2018 Poll Position: 3rd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 13-5-1/8-1-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2/Eliminated in Quarterfinals (RAND, 2-1) Head Coach: Ryan Pflugrad Overall Record/Yrs: 58-27-11 (.661)/5 Record at RC/Yrs.: 58-27-11 (.661)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 35-8-7 (.770)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 11 | Jose Robertson Goals: 4 | Jose Robertson Assists: 4 | Atticus Cooke Saves: 4 | Alex Sullivan |
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2018 Poll Position: 12th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 2-15-1/0-8-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Matt Smith Overall Record/Yrs: 242-60-20 (.783)/19 Record at SU/Yrs: 2-15-1 (.139)/1 ODAC Record/Yrs: 0-8-1 (.056)/1 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: None Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 7 | Andres Garces/Nick Seymour Goals: 3 | Nick Seymour Assists: 3 | Andres Garces Saves: 93 | Sam Fischer |
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2018 Poll Position: 5th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-8-1/3-5-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Chris Mills Overall Record/Yrs: 52-29-13 (.622)/5 Record at VWU/Yrs: 52-29-13 (.622)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 28-14-9 (.637)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: None Second Team: Ricky Perrault (F) Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 14 | Ricky Perrault Goals: 6 | Ricky Perrault Assists: 4 | Devin Wallace Saves: None |
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2018 Poll Position: 2nd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 15-5-2/7-2-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3/Runner-up (LC, 2-1) 2017 NCAA Tournament: def. Mary Washington (2-0) in 1st round; tied Oglethorpe (3-3 | adv. 5-4 on PKs) in 2nd round; eliminated by North Park (3-0) in sectional round Head Coach: Mike Singleton Overall Record/Yrs: 92-37-12 (.695)/7 Record at W&L/Yrs: 57-19-8 (.726)/4 ODAC Record/Yrs: 30-7-3 (.788)/4 Returning All-ODAC Players First Team: Oliver Dolberg (D), Will Hamryka (M) Second Team: None Third Team: Harry Pinkerton (F), Dylan Ritch (F) Top Returning Statistical Leaders Points: 14 | Will Hamryka/Dylan Ritch Goals: 6 | Will Hamryka Assists: 6 | Dylan Ritch Saves: 3 | Alex Harper |