Lynchburg, Washington and Lee also Garner First Place Consideration

FOREST, Va. --- Last season, Hampden-Sydney College came thru as a mild surprise in winning its first conference title since 2001 as the fourth seed. This year, the Tigers don't have the luxury of flying under the radar as they were picked first in the ODAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll, conducted annually by the league's head coaches.

H-SC collected seven first place votes on the way to 77 points. Lynchburg College garnered two top nods and 72 overall tallies. Washington and Lee University picked up the remaining first place vote, but its 64 points are just one clear of fourth place Roanoke College.

Hampden-Sydney left little question of its intentions during the ODAC postseason as the Tigers combined to win by 23 goals in its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups against fifth-seeded Shenandoah University (18-4) and at top-seeded Washington and Lee (19-10). Momentum carried over to the championship contest where H-SC made good on an 8-5 halftime lead on the way to a 14-9 triumph over third-seeded Lynchburg for the program's fifth overall league title.

RELATED: 2017 ODAC Tournament Bracket

Both Hampden-Sydney and Lynchburg continued their seasons in the NCAA Division III Tournament with the Hornets earning one of just seven at-large selections. Each was selected to host their first round matchups.

Hampden-Sydney exploded for a 23-8 opening round victory over Transylvania University, but the Tigers' season came to a close in round two via a 25-12 decision to natonally top-ranked and eventual national champion Salisbury University.

Lynchburg's stay in the national field lasted one more game. After posting a 14-12 victory over Sewanee at home, the Hornets used a six-goal second quarter burst to defeat York College (Pa.), 10-8, on the road in round two. LC then traveled to Denison University (Ohio) for a spot in the national semifinals. The Big Red moved on for the first time since 2001 with an 18-9 result.

RELATED: 2017 NCAA Division III Tournament Bracket

ODAC teams are well-represented in three major national preseason polls. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) features three league squads in its annual Division III/Nike Coaches Poll. Lynchburg sits 12th with Roanoke slotted 18th and Washington and Lee 20th in the 20-team listing. Salisbury stands atop the rankings.

The USILA also puts out a Division III Player of the Year "Watchlist," which touts Roanoke defenseman Conn Curry.

Four conference squads earned ratings in the Division III Face-Off-Yearbook Rankings by Inside Lacrosse. Lynchburg again tops the league contingent, this time in 10th position. Roanoke and Hampden-Sydney sit 18th and 19th, respectively, while Washington and Lee appears 22nd. Salisbury is again perched as the #1 squad.

The final pundit poll by US Lacrosse Magazine ranks two ODAC teams with two more earning mentions. Lynchburg is tabbed ninth with Roanoke earning an 18th ranking in the 20-team survey. Hampden-Sydney and Washington and Lee both were noted as "also considered" towards the listing that features Wesleyan University (Conn.) as the top-ranked program.

RELATED: USILA/Nike Preseason Poll | US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Top-20 | Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Rankings

Entering the 2018 season, 25 of the 45 honorees from last season's All-ODAC teams are set to return. That includes 11-of-15 All-ODAC First Team selections. Hampden-Sydney, Roanoke, and Washington and Lee each feature three returning first teamers. The Tigers and reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Jason Rostan, look to attackman and ODAC points leader (91) Ian Levin as well as midfielder Hunter Brown and defenseman Kent Henry.

Roanoke welcomes back attackman Jason Sarro, who earned ODAC Rookie of the Year laurels last season. He's joined by midfielder Iv Stucker and Curry from last season's first team. The Generals boast playmaking attackman and 2017 ODAC Player of the Year A.J. Witherell in addition to face-off specialist Jack Hodgson and defenseman Kyle Gifford.

The remaining two first team returners wear Lynchburg jerseys. Attackman Evan Lombardo led the ODAC with 61 goals scored. He's joined by long stick midfielder Seamus McDonald.

RELATED: 2017 All-ODAC Men's Lacrosse Awards

The 2018 season begins with non-conference play on Sunday, February 4. The first set of ODAC contests are slated for Saturday, March 10. The conference tournament begins with quarterfinal action on Tuesday, May 1. The semifinals and finals will be hosted by the top seed on Friday and Saturday, May 4-5.

Listed below is the complete 2018 ODAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC men's lacrosse programs.  For more information on ODAC men's lacrosse, 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.

*GAA and Save % of 2016 statistically qualified keeper or returner with most time between pipes
#Face-offs by % when more than one player qualifies 

2018 Poll Position: 7th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 7-9/3-6 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Mic Grant Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Jake Truman (LS)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 53 -- Blake Mann   Goals: 44 (9) -- Blake Mann   Assists: 16 -- Daniel Brown   Ground Balls: 59 -- Jake Truman   Face-offs: 31-of-71 -- Tyler Nieto   Caused Turnovers: 26 (5) -- Jake Truman   Saves: 139 (8) -- Kevin Metzger   Save Pct.: .552 (4) -- Kevin Metzger   Goals-Against-Avg.: 9.98 (5) -- Kevin Metzger		2018 Poll Position: 5th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-10/4-5 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6 Seed/Eliminated in quarterfinals Head Coach: J.B. Sheridan Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Kyle Geblein (D)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 44 -- Miles Muncie   Goals: 38 -- Miles Muncie   Assists: 7 -- Colin Disesa/Kyle Keepers   Ground Balls: 55 -- Joe Maranto   Face-offs: 164-of-340 (4) -- Joe Maranto   Caused Turnovers: 21 (10) -- Kyle Geblein   Saves: 27 -- Chris Cerrina   Save Pct.: .529 -- Chris Cerrina   Goals-Against-Avg.: 15.69 -- Chris Cerrina
2018 Poll Position: 6th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 8-8/3-6 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Tom Carmean Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Will Forrestal (D)   Third Team: Parker Styles (GK) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 41 -- Zach Berkowitz   Goals: 26 -- Zach Berkowitz   Assists: 15 -- Zach Berkowitz   Ground Balls: 61 (8) -- Parker Styles   Face-offs: 74-of-154 -- Alex Ramey   Caused Turnovers: 35 (3) -- Will Forrestal   Saves: 206 (3) -- Parker Styles   Save Pct.: .580 (1) -- Parker Styles   Goals-Against-Avg.: 9.54 (2) -- Parker Styles		2018 Poll Position: 4th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 12-4/8-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2 Seed/Eliminated in semifinals Head Coach: Bill Pilat Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Jason Sarro (A-ROY), Iv Stucker (M), Conn Curry (D)   Second Team: Robby Moore (D), Ian Davies (GK)   Third Team: Tim Aldinger (LS), Reid Kaminski (FO) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 63 (7) -- Jason Sarro   Goals: 40 -- Jason Sarro   Assists: 23 (9) -- Jason Sarro   Ground Balls: 60 (9) -- Reid Kaminski   Face-offs: 107-of-204 (9) -- Reid Kaminski   Caused Turnovers: 37 (2) -- Conn Curry   Saves: 145 (7) -- Ian Davies   Save Pct.: .549 (5) -- Ian Davies   Goals-Against-Avg.: 9.34 (1) -- Ian Davies
2018 Poll Position: 1st 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 16-6/6-3 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4 Seed/Champions Head Coach: Jason Rostan Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Ian Levin (A), Hunter Brown (M), Kent Henry (D)   Second Team: Chandler Shaheen (M)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 91 (1) -- Ian Levin   Goals: 57 (2) -- Ian Levin   Assists: 44 (2) -- Hunter Brown   Ground Balls: 71 (5) -- Wilson Booth   Face-offs: 122-of-209 (8) -- Wilson Booth   Caused Turnovers: 21 (10) -- Kent Henry/Jay Moss   Saves: 153 (6) -- Mitch Renfrow   Save Pct.: .534 -- Nick Arcuri   Goals-Against-Avg.: 10.21 (6) -- Mitch Renfrow		2018 Poll Position: 8th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 9-8/4-5 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5 Seed/Eliminated in quarterfinals Head Coach: Tim Marshall Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 53 -- Ryan Schott   Goals: 39 -- Ryan Schott   Assists: 14 -- Ryan Schott   Ground Balls: 63 (6) -- Andrew Shy   Face-offs: 194-of-422 (3) -- Andrew Shy   Caused Turnovers: 14 -- Zack Zimmerman   Saves: 6 -- Michael Beutel   Save Pct.: .400 -- Jason Simpson   Goals-Against-Avg.: 11.56 -- Jason Simpson
2018 Poll Position: 2nd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 15-7/8-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3 Seed/Runner-up Head Coach: Steve Koudelka Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Evan Lombardo (A), Seamus McDonald (LS)   Second Team: Nick Willertz (SS)   Third Team: Andrew Thomas (A), Tyler Gallagher (D) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 75 (4) -- Evan Lombardo   Goals: 61 (1) -- Evan Lombardo   Assists: 39 (4) -- Logan Adams   Ground Balls: 63 (6) -- Nick Willertz   Face-offs: 142-of-299 (5) -- Bo Delaney   Caused Turnovers: 23 (8) -- Tyler Gallagher   Saves: 248 (1) -- CJ Santora   Save Pct.: .564 (3) -- CJ Santora   Goals-Against-Avg.: 9.72 (3) -- CJ Santora		2018 Poll Position: 9th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 2-14/0-9 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: J.P. Stewart Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 37 -- Joe Couture   Goals: 25 -- Joe Couture   Assists: 23 -- Matt Baldwin   Ground Balls: 43 -- Dante Castillo   Face-offs: 37-of-92 -- Dante Castillo   Caused Turnovers: 13 -- Madigan Horne   Saves: 135 (9) -- Chris McTague   Save Pct.: .485 (9) -- Philip Venanzi   Goals-Against-Avg.: 14.44 -- Philip Venanzi
2018 Poll Position: 10th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 5-12/1-8 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Andy Sinclair Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 30 -- Brett Pausic   Goals: 10 -- Brett Pausic   Assists: 20 -- Brett Pausic   Ground Balls: 90 (3) -- Prince Charles   Face-offs: 136-of-244 (6) -- Prince Charles   Caused Turnovers: 13 -- Prince Charles   Saves: 157 (5) -- Matt Lindenbaum   Save Pct.: .500 (8) -- Matt Lindenbaum   Goals-Against-Avg.: 11.44 (9) -- Matt Lindenbaum		2018 Poll Position: 3rd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-7/8-1 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1 Seed/Eliminated in semifinals Head Coach: Gene McCabe Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: A.J. Witherell (A-POY), Jack Hodgson (FO), Kyle Gifford (D)   Second Team: None   Third Team: Sam Dardani (A), John Broderick (D) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) denotes ODAC top-10   Points: 88 (2) -- A.J. Witherell   Goals: 52 (5) -- A.J. Witherell   Assists: 36 (5) -- A.J. Witherell   Ground Balls: 121 (2) -- Jack Hodgson   Face-offs: 225-of-345 (2) -- Jack Hodgson   Caused Turnovers: 17 -- Drew Barnard   Saves: 73 -- Nic Peterson   Save Pct.: .462 -- Nic Peterson   Goals-Against-Avg.: 10.56 (8) -- Nic Peterson