VWC, WLU, RC Make for Crowded Top Four

SALEM, Va. --- Lynchburg College received eight of 12 first place votes and 140 total poll points on its way to sitting atop the 2009 ODAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll.  The 2007 and 2008 ODAC champions were joined by Virginia Wesleyan College (132 pts.), Washington and Lee University (121) and Roanoke College (111) at the top of the survey with all receiving better than 100 points.  The Marlins picked up three first place votes while the Generals garnered the remaining top nod.

Both Lynchburg and Virginia Wesleyan hold preseason rankings from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).  The Hornets currently sit 10^th and the Marlins 12^th in the NSCAA/adidas National Top-25 Preseason Poll.

Lynchburg (21-1-3 overall, 9-0-2 ODAC in 2008) goes in search of the program's ninth conference title in 2009.  An ODAC finals win would mark the third straight for the Hornets and the sixth for the squad since 2000.  It would also mark the second three-peat for LC, the first streak coming from 1999-2001.

Reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Dr. Todd Olsen, welcomes back a roster chock full of talent including four All-ODAC First Team selections from a season ago.  Leading the charge is 2008 ODAC Player of the Year, Ashley Hoath (18 goals, 3 assists).  Hoath, who was joined by her sister and Hornet defender, Beverly Hoath, on the first team, provided LC with some postseason heroics in the conference title game at Virginia Wesleyan.  She notched three second half goals to eventually send the Hornets through to the NCAA Tournament.  Also returning from the '08 first team is Betsy Kwiatkowski (18g, 18a), the 2007 ODAC Rookie of theYear.  Katie Santos (24g, 2a) and Brittany Klippenstein (11g, 3a) were both members of the All-ODAC Second Team and are back for more in 2009.

Virginia Wesleyan (14-3-4, 10-0-1) joined Lynchburg in the NCAA Tournament in 2008 after receiving an at-large bid into Division III field.  Like Lynchburg, the Marlins have several returning All-ODAC standouts including '08 first team choice Stacy Zeiler (5g, 1a).  Three of the Marlins five second team choices are also back in the fold.  Goalkeeper Allison Lennox (0.51 goals-against-average) is joined by Kelly Higgins on a defense the surrendered only 10 goals all season, tops in the ODAC.  Brittany Moseley (3g, 8a) returns to bolster VWC's attack.

Washington and Lee (13-5, 9-2) is faced with replacing second all-time leading scorer and former ODAC Player of the Year, Anne Van Devender.  Plenty of talent remains to help pick up the slack with 2008 first team choice Maggie Sutherland (4g, 1a) and second teamer Roz Klann (3g) leading the pack from midfield.  Kat Barnes (16g, 6a) and Allie Espina (10g, 3a) return after finishing second and third on the team in scoring last season, combining for 61 points.

Roanoke (11-7-2, 8-2-1) looks to make a move on the top of the conference in 2009.  Two-time first team choice Jessica Welfare returns to the center of midfield, while second teamer Alida Haslett will help solidify the Maroons' defense.

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