VWC, LC, H-SC All Receive First Place Votes

SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke College stands atop the 2009 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll as the league's coaches tabbed the Maroons to win their fifth ODAC title in 10 years.  Roanoke received five first place votes on the way to 112 total poll points.  Virginia Wesleyan College (107 pts.) and Lynchburg College (105 pts.) are separated by only two points for second and third, respectively.  The Marlins picked up three first place nods, while the Hornets collected a pair.  Hampden-Sydney College (94 pts.) garner the remaining top nod.

The runner-up in the conference championship a season ago, the Maroons (14-4-2, 8-1-1) welcome back the 2008 Rookie of the Year, Michael Stark. Stark, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, started all 20 games for RC as a key member of the defensive unit that registered a 0.53 goals against average with 11 shutouts.  He earned All-American Third Teams honors from the NSCAA for his efforts.  Additionally, Roanoke returns two All-ODAC selections in midfielder Taylor Jonhston and defender Cameron Lee.  Johnston, a first-team pick, notched four goals and dished out two helpers, while Lee started 19 of a possible 20 games as a member of the back third. 

Virginia Wesleyan (11-7-2, 7-2-1) entered the 2008 tournament as the third seed, but eventually topped the Maroons, 1-0, in the championship match.  VWC then received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where the Marlins fell to North Carolina Wesleyan, 4-3, in overtime.  VWC put two Marlins on the All-ODAC teams with first team standout and two-time Player of the Year, Brandon Massie headlining the returnees.  The forward finished the season atop the ODAC's charts in goals scored with 17.  He also dished out five assists to finish second in the league with a total of 39 points.  Massie enters his senior campaign with 41 goals and 19 assists for 101 points.  Defender Lonnie Carter, a second team selection in 2008, joins Massie as one of the top returners.  Carter played in 16 contests as a member of the back third that helped record seven shutouts. 

Lynchburg (14-2-4, 7-0-3) welcomes back several standouts, including three All-ODAC selections.  Midfielder Patrick Brown and defender Hunter Smith were first team picks, while midfielder Josh Reed was tabbed to the second team.  Brown started all 20 games and finished second on the squad with 17 points on seven goals and three assists.  Smith was a member of a defense that posted a 0.66 goals against average with nine shutouts, while Reed finished third in the league with 31 points on 11 goals and nine assists.  His nine assists were good enough for second in the conference.

Hampden-Sydney (12-6-1, 6-3-1) looks to continue to climb the ladder in the league standings.  Back to aid in that effort are both '08 first team choices in striker Will Robertson (8 goals, 7 assists) and defender Matt Swaney (5 goals).  Leading scorer Bryan Wharton is also in the fold after notching 14 goals with two assists last season.

The 2009 ODAC Men's Soccer Tournament begins with quarterfinal action on Saturday, October 31, followed by the semifinals on Wednesday, November 4.  The championship game is set for Saturday, November 7.  All games will be played on the campus of the higher seed in each matchup.

Posted below is the complete 2009 ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. 

2009 ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes