LC, BC, SU Earn First Place Votes

FOREST, Va. --- Nine-time defending conference champion Lynchburg College collected four first place votes and 46 total points to lead the ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll.  The top three teams are separated by just eight total points, with Bridgewater College sitting second after earning three top nods and 42 tallies. Shenandoah University garnered 38 points including the remaining first place vote.

The past several years of field hockey have seen the level of competition grow within the conference.  That was no more evident than in 2014 with a three-way tie for the final ODAC postseason seed and four of the five tournament games decided by two goals or less.  As it had done the previous eight seasons, Lynchburg came out on top in the end, securing its ninth consecutive and record 18th overall conference championship with a 2-0 victory over Bridgewater.  In addition to Lynchburg's win, the event was a milestone for Bridgewater as it marked the program's first appearance in the ODAC field hockey title game.

LC continued its season in the NCAA Division III Tournament, earning a home game against Centre College.  The Colonels used two late goals, including one in overtime, to upset the homestanding Hornets, 2-1, and eliminate them from further postseason involvement.

Sixteen All-ODAC honorees return to squads across the conference as the start of the new schedule approaches. All teams feature at least one returner, but it's Shenandoah that boasts the most with four all-conference standouts in tow, led by first team midfielder Presha Merritt.  Taylor Prillaman and Maggie Waxter, both first team attackers, lead two sets of trios returning to Bridgewater and Washington and Lee, respectively. Roanoke College first team attacker Shelbi Holloman is one of two 2014 honorees back in Salem.

The 2015 season begins with non-conference play on Tuesday, September 1.  The first ODAC matchup is slated for Saturday, September 19.   If you can't make it to the games, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio and statistical links.

Listed below is the complete 2015 ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC field hockey programs.  For more information on ODAC field hockey, 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.

2015 Poll Position: 2nd 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 12-8/7-1 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2/Lost in Finals (LC, 2-0) Head Coach: Allyson Kenyon Overall Record/Yrs: 106-114 (.482)/12 Record at BC/Yrs: 106-114 (.482)/12 ODAC Record/Yrs: 46-48 (.489)/12 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Taylor Prillaman (A)   Second Team: Caroline Fletcher (D)   Third Team: Rachael Loy (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 34 - Taylor Prillaman   Goals: 15 - Taylor Prillaman   Assists: 10 - Rachael Loy   Defensive Saves: 4 - Katherine Ellis   Saves: 90 - Amanda Harper Eagles' Outlook: Bridgewater looks to take the final step towards the program's first ODAC title as the Eagles return nine starters from a 2014 squad that reached its inaugural ODAC championship game. That list includes seniors Taylor Prillaman (a first team All-State choice), Rachael Loy and Caroline Fletcher, who have a combined seven All-ODAC selections among them. Overall, this year’s BC senior class totaled 81 points last year (60% of the team’s scoring output). Bridgewater will challenge itself early with three of its opening four contests against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the final 2014 national poll.		2015 Poll Position: 6th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-11/2-6 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Briana Banks Record at RC/Yrs: 23-62 (.271)/5 Overall Record/Yrs: 23-62 (.271)/5 ODAC Record/Yrs: 12-27 (.308)/5 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Shelbi Holloman (M)   Second Team: Kellie Jasinski (A)   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 28 - Shelbi Holloman   Goals: 14 - Shelbi Holloman   Assists: 5 - Katerina DeSimone/Kellie Jasinski   Defensive Saves: 4 - Megan Pullin   Saves: 17 - Ashleigh Hamman Maroons' Outlook: Roanoke has a strong contingent of newcomers joining a solid crew of returning athletes, forming arguably its most balanced squad in recent years. Shelbi Holloman leads the charge after earning an All-ODAC First Team spot. Second team attacker Kellie Jasinski adds more depth to the Maroons' offense, especially when joined by Kelsey Palmisano, who scored eight times in her rookie campaign. Defensively, RC will need a new face to take over between the pipes following the graduation of Candice Fisher.  Megan Pullin will help stabilize RC's defensive-third.
2015 Poll Position: 8th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 4-15/2-6 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6/Lost in Quarters (SU, 3-1) Head Coach: E.A. Jackson Overall Record/Yrs: First Season Record at EMU/Yrs: First Season ODAC Record/Yrs: First Season Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: Melissa Cox (A) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 13 - Melissa Cox   Goals: 5 - Melissa Cox   Assists: 3 - Emily Augsburger/Melissa Cox   Defensive Saves: None   Saves: 135 - Hannah Daley Royals' Outlook: EMU field hockey enters a new era with E.A. Jackson taking over the reins of the program. She'll look to quickly return the Royals to a position that saw them win 11 ODAC titles.  The chore will be difficult in the beginning as 4-of-5 All-ODAC honorees will need replacing.  Melissa Cox and Lorraine Armstrong return as double-digit scorers from a season ago. Both of them and Emily Augusburger will keep the offense moving, while Brianna Kauffman will bridge the gap from her defensive midfield role. Goalkeeper Hannah Daley finished second in the ODAC in saves, providing EMU with a dependable backstop.		2015 Poll Position: 3rd 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 12-7/6-2 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3/Lost in Semifinals (BC, 2-1) Head Coach: Ashley Smeltzer-Kraft Overall Record/Yrs: 22-17(.564)/2 Record at SU/Yrs: 22-17(.564)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 12-4 (.750)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Presha Merritt (M)   Second Team: Kelani Bailey (M), Jenna Rampale (GK - ROY)   Third Team: Sarah Brock (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 16 - Kelani Bailey   Goals: 8 - Kelani Bailey   Assists: 9 - Presha Merritt   Defensive Saves: 8 - Alana Meadows   Saves: 115 - Jenna Rampale Hornets' Outlook: With 17 returners and six newcomers, the Hornets look to improve on the progress they’ve made as a program since joining the ODAC. Shenandoah returns a group of eight seniors who have all helped to shape the program. All-ODAC honorees Presha Merritt, Kelani Bailey, Sarah Brock and goalkeeper Jenna Rampale -- the reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year -- will again be the driving forces of the team. Taylor Little, Alexa Lapp, Elizabeth Pardo and Morgan Lingo are familiar faces of the program and are primed to make the next step in their development. These returnees, combined with a strong incoming class, should keep the Hornets near the top of the conference ranks.
2015 Poll Position: 1st 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 15-7/8-0 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1/Champion (2-0 over BC) 2014 NCAA Tournament: Lost in 1st Round (Centre, 2-1 OT) Head Coach: Enza Steele Overall Record/Yrs: 526-207-11 (.721)/35 Record at LC/Yrs: 526-207-11 (.721)/35 ODAC Record/Yrs: 228-32-2 (.874)/33 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Meredith Bradsher (D)   Third Team: None Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 9 - Lacey Elliott/Morgan Lammando   Goals: 4 - Morgan Lammando   Assists: 7 - Lacey Elliott   Defensive Saves: 2 - Kayla Krause   Saves: 113 - Beka Hess Hornets' Outlook: The year was 2005. The question, when was the last time a field hockey team not named Lynchburg hoisted the ODAC hardware. It's been nine straight crowns for LC and head coach Enza Steele, who ranks eighth on the NCAA all-divisions victory list with 526 wins.  This year's LC squad -- which received votes towards the NFHCA national preseason top-20 -- looks a bit different than in the past as just one All-ODAC honoree is back in defender Meredith Bradsher. But she, Kayla Krause and keeper Beka Hess will keep the Hornets' defensive half organized. The attack will need veteran and newcomers to step up their games. Lacey Elliott and Morgan Lammando are the top returning scorers with nine points each.		2015 Poll Position: 7th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 4-13/2-6 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: N/A Head Coach: Christina Restivo Overall Record/Yrs: 11-21 (.343)/2 Record at VWC/Yrs: 11-21 (.343)/2 ODAC Record/Yrs: 4-12 (.250)/2 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: Sam Jackson (D) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 6 - Sam Jackson   Goals: 2 - Sam Jackson/Taylor Marshall   Assists: 3 - Caitlyn Hogge   Defensive Saves: None   Saves: None Marlins' Outlook: There's a lot to be excited about if your name is Christina Restivo, the Marlins' head coach. She is anxious to play their first game on their new turf facility, Birdsong Field.  And she'll do that armed with eight newcomers and a several key returning players.  That list includes All-ODAC third team defender Sam Jackson. Excitment doesn't mean there isn't work to be done. Even though Jackson will anchor the defense, she also shares the returning scorer mantle with Taylor Marshall, meaning new attacking options will need to be developed.  Caitlyn Hogge will add to that unit.
2015 Poll Position: 5th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 6-12/5-3 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4/Lost in Quarters (W&L, 4-3) Head Coach: Crystal Carper Overall Record/Yrs: 92-96 (.489)/10 Record at RMC/Yrs: 92-96 (.489)/10 ODAC Record/Yrs: 52-24 (.684)/10 Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: Mackenzie Turner (M) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 7 - Victoria Cappadora   Goals: 3 - Victoria Cappadora/Kali Carroll   Assists: 3 - Haley McMahon   Defensive Saves: 1 - Renee Greensdale/Natalie Schnell/Mackenzie Turner   Saves: 72 - Kelsey Stanley Yellow Jackets' Outlook: Head coach Crystal Carper, who has a chance at reaching 100 career victories this season, will rely heavily on her seniors as the Yellow Jackets look to retool quickly following the graduation of several key components.  That list includes Renee Greensdale, Natalie Schnell and Mackenzie, with the latter earning third team honors last season. Two goalkeepers saw signficant time for R-MC last season. Kelsey Stanley was one part of that duo and she returns for a crack at securing the job. Victoria Cappadora and Kali Carroll are the top returning scorers to this year's squad.		2015 Poll Position: 4th 2014 Records - Overall/ODAC: 11-8/4-4 2014 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5/Lost in Semifinals (LC, 5-1) Head Coach: Gina Wills Overall Record/Yrs: 121-40 (.752)/8 Record at W&L/Yrs: First Season ODAC Record/Yrs: First Season Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Maggie Waxter (A)   Second Team: Maggie Sands (M)   Third Team: Kendall Peterson (D) Top Returning Statistical Leaders   Points: 31 - Maggie Waxter   Goals: 13 - Maggie Waxter   Assists: 5 - Kendall Peterson/Maggie Waxter   Defensive Saves: 1 - Maggie Sands   Saves: 62 - Megan Axelrod Generals' Outlook: Field hockey at W&L is under new leadership entering 2015, with former DePauw mentor Gina Wills taking over the program.  She brings a championship pedigree to a Generals squad that features some top talent, led by leading scorer and All-ODAC first teamer Maggie Waxter. Maggie Sands and Kendall Peterson were second and third team honorees, respectively. When you add in goalkeeper Megan Axelrod and 2013 ODAC Rookie of the Year, Noelani Schulmeyer, you quickly see defense will be a strength of this season's squad. Charlotte McDonald bolsters W&L's attack following an 18-point junior season.