Roanoke, Lynchburg Round Out Top Three

FOREST, Va. --- Washington and Lee University received 10 first place votes and 100 total poll points to lead the 2013 ODAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll.  Roanoke College sits second with 87 tallies, while Lynchburg College rounds out the top three with 85 points and the remaining top nod.

The Generals captured the program's third straight and ODAC record 13th overall conference title in 2012, topping Roanoke, 20-5, in Lexington.  W&L's postseason success was halted sooner than expected as it fell to the University of Mary Washington, 16-8, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Washington and Lee (15-5 overall, 9-0 in ODAC play in 2012) looks to make it 10 titles in the last 11 years in 2013, and head coach Brooke O'Brien returns four all-conference players eager to make that happen.  All-ODAC First Team defender Leanne Stone (49 ground balls, 32 caused turnovers), All-ODAC Second Team goalkeeper Cara Mulligan (100 saves, 7.97 goals-against-average) and All-ODAC Third Team defender Olive Waxter (23 GB, 11 CT) form the nucleus of a defensive unit that allowed an ODAC-low 169 goals last season.  Second team midfielder Meade Brewster (31 goals, 7 assists, 33 GB, 22 draw controls, 14 CT) looks to continue her strong two-way play as she augments an attack that includes several returning standouts, including last year's second-leading scorer Margaret Klein (35 G, 10 A, 20 GB).

Roanoke (11-7, 7-2) placed five players on all-conference teams in 2012 and four are back for a run at a third straight ODAC championship game appearance.  Three first team stalwarts return to Salem, including reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year, midfielder Darrah Evarts (54 G, 12 A, 50 GB, 61 DC, 33 CT).  She's joined by 2012 ODAC points leader Allison Bonanno (55 G, 46 A, 31 GB) and midfielder Kathleen Wager (55 G, 23 A, 49 GB, 58 DC, 33 CT).  Stephanie Vogel (16 GB, 14 CT) is back to lead the defense after a third team selection.  Attack Jamie Golden (31 G, 13 A, 19 GB) further boosts the front line, while Lauren Curtin (108 SV, 12.00 GAA) is back in net.

Lynchburg (11-7, 7-2) also returns a handful of all-conference performers, with a pair of first teamers in tow in midfielder Julie Will (31 G, 8 A, 40 GB, 49 DC) and defender Brianna LaMarca (29 GB, 23 CT).  Second team attack Kendall Adkin (65 G, 16 A, 28 GB) was second in scoring for LC last season, and third team midfielder Sarah Shannon (16 G, 7 A, 37 GB, 36 DC, 21 CT) was one of seven Hornets to top the 20-point mark, a group that also includes midfielder Bri Slate (34 G, 16 A).

New to the ODAC this season is Shenandoah University (13-5, 6-1 in the USA South), and the Hornets join the conference loaded with six returning All-USA South honorees from a squad that set a new program record for victories in a season and made an appearance in the conference title game.  Three first team choices are back, including the USA South's reigning Rookie of the Year in midfielder Liz Bereit (44 G, 12 A, 31 GB, 51 DC).  She's joined by midfielder Samantha Sisson (63 G, 16 A, 36 GB, 84 DC) and goalkeeper Ashley Cross (143 SV, 6.78 GAA).  Attack Amy Rollins (17 G, 17 A) and midfielder Corrinne Kosmoski (39 G, 3 A, 43 GB, 44 DC, 19 CT) were second team selections, while defender Emily Kogler (2 G, 1 A, 27 GB, 16 CT) earned a spot on the honorable mention team.

Guilford College (11-7, 7-2) is one of two programs to welcome a new head coach this season.  Sarah Lamphier takes over the reins from 2012 ODAC Coach of the Year, Matthew Grosso, and she has four all-conference players back from a team that set a program record for victories in a season.  Midfielder Eleanora Keene (27 G, 4 A, 30 GB, 128 DC) and goalkeeper Liza Mettler (186 SV, 11.88 GAA) were first team choices in 2012, while attackers E'leyna Garcia (57 G, 23 A, 20 GB, 24 DC) and Lily Colley (48 G, 30 A, 36 GB, 24 DC, 25 CT) were named to the second and third teams, respectively.

Randolph-Macon College (8-10, 4-5) and Virginia Wesleyan College (6-11, 4-5) both welcome back three all-conference athletes.  The Yellow Jackets feature a pair of second teamers in midfielder Emily Lynch (46 G, 18 A, 36 GB, 36 DC, 32 CT) and defender Maggie Benson (29 GB, 14 CT).  Midfielder Rachel Johnsen (16 G, 9 A, 56 GB, 72 DC, 28 CT) was a third team choice in addition to being named the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  The Marlins also enjoy the return of a pair of second team selections in midfielder Nikki Salyers (42 G, 10 A, 23 GB, 23 DC) and defender Amari Agee (1 G, 1 A, 18 GB, 20 CT).  Fellow defender Kelly Jacobson (1 G, 24 GB, 16 CT) was tabbed to the third team.

Bridgewater College (6-10, 4-5) and Randolph College (4-11, 2-7) both boast an all-conference duo from last year.  The Eagles look to second team attack Taylor Chamberlain (54 G, 20 A, 41 DC) and third team midfielder Paige Hennessy (25 G, 2 A, 22 GB, 43 DC) to lead the way.  The WildCats welcome two third team selections in midfielder Taylor Klevenz (34 G, 7 A, 42 GB, 64 DC, 23 CT) and defender Ashley Stevens (52 GB, 21 CT), in addition to leading scorer Danielle Haney (44 G, 13 A, 24 DC).

Sweet Briar College (4-12, 1-8) looks to continue its progress under second year head coach Eboni Preston.  The Vixens are armed with second team midfielder Olivia Hurt (57 G, 14 A, 44 GB, 42 DC, 25 CT) and 60-plus point scorer Kimberly Orchowski (21 G, 46 A), who tied RC's Bonnano for the league lead in assists.

Hollins University (1-14, 0-9) opens a new chapter for its program with head coach Danielle O'Leary taking the lead role in 2013.  She welcomes back goalkeeper Corinne Nicholson (124 SV) and defender Chancey Wright (50 GB), who led the ODAC with 43 caused turnovers.

Listed below is the full 2013 ODAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll.  For more information on ODAC women's lacrosse, visit any of the participating school's websites, 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.  You can also follow the ODAC on Twitter @odacathletics. 

2013 ODAC WOMEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes