W&L, Lynchburg Round Out Top Three in Preseason Poll
SALEM, Va. --- Virginia
Wesleyan College garnered five first place votes to claim the top
spot in the annual ODAC field hockey preseason coaches poll.
Defending champion Washington and Lee University (three first place
votes) and Lynchburg College (one first place vote) sit second and
third, respectively.
Virginia Wesleyan returns numerous letterwinners from a team that
completed the 2005 season after advancing to the ODAC semifinals.
Head coach Kim-Michael Mertes welcomes back eight seniors including
2005 all-ODAC first team forward Chrissy Clancy. Clancy completed
the season ranked second in the ODAC scoring category with 41 total
points (16 goals, 9 assists). She was followed close behind by
teammate Megan May (13goals and 14 assists), who also returns for
the Marlins. Junior Megan Koster will anchor the goal for the
Marlin after posting three shutouts and a 1.66 goals against
average last season.
Washington and Lee is coming off its best field hockey season since
elevating the sport to varsity status in 2000. Head Coach Wendy
Orrison led the Generals to their first conference title and NCAA
berth in 2005 but has to replace six seniors who played a vital
role in the ‘05 campaign. W&L returns the conference
Rookie of the Year in Liz Garson. Garson anchored the Generals
defense which allowed just 31 goals. Amy Volkman (10 goals, 4
assists) will have to step up as a senior tri-captain and fill some
of the scoring lost from last year's squad.
Lynchburg continues its strong showing in the conference with the
third slot in the preseason poll. Head Coach Enza Steele led LC to
an NCAA tournament berth and the conference championship game in
2005. Coach Steele will have to work to find a replacement for
all-ODAC forward Andrea Fleming, who posted 54 points a year ago.
LC is led by senior midfielder Morgan Crandall and senior defender
Ariana Kleeman. Both Crandall and Kleeman were honored with ODAC
honorable mention recognition a year ago. Crandall was LC's fourth
leading scorer in 2005 while Kleeman anchored a defense that
allowed just 31 goals.
Listed below is the entire 2006 ODAC coaches poll. For a more
in-depth view into each of the teams, please visit the ODAC on the
web at www.odaconline.com.
2006 ODAC Field Hockey Coaches Poll
Ranking (1st place votes)
1. Virginia Wesleyan (5)
2. Washington and Lee (3)
3. Lynchburg (1)
4. Randolph-Macon
5. Eastern Mennonite
6. Bridgewater
7. Roanoke
8. Sweet Briar
9. R-M Woman's