ODAC Teams Playing Well, Ready for Conference Run

FOREST, Va. --- Virginia Wesleyan College women's soccer has gotten off to a roaring start this season, already climbing the ladders of the top two national polls that benchmark women's soccer.  At 8-0, the Marlins are the only undefeated team left in the ODAC women's soccer standings, but plenty of conference schools are making their mark across the country and in the region.

Virginia Wesleyan leads the list of team plaudits, having moved up to 12th in the country in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Coaches Poll.  Also ranked second in the region behind Emory University, the Marlins debut at #22 in the D3soccer.com Top-25 Poll after receiving votes the previous week.  The Marlins' offense has been powered by an excellent start from forward Jessica Edelman, who won the first two ODAC Player of the Week awards.  She is currently tied for first in the country with five game-winning goals, including both goals in a pair of 1-0 wins over Hampton Roads-rival Christopher Newport University and Kean University.

Roanoke College continues to keep itself in the national and regional conversation, currently receiving votes towards the top-25 in both the NSCAA and D3soccer.com surveys.  The Maroons are also fourth in the region, one spot ahead of Lynchburg College.  Washington and Lee University also enjoys a regional ranking as the Generals are slotted 10th.

Like the Maroons, preseason favorite Lynchburg has received votes towards the D3soccer.com Top-25 Poll, having started the season ranked 14th in that survey and 18th by the NSCAA.  Head coach Dr. Todd Olsen knew his team was in for some changes for the 2011 campaign, even though his roster is chock full of experienced talent.  In an interview earlier this season, Dr. Olsen explains what success over the past few years has meant to his team, his expectations for this year's team, and some of the key components that returned to Lynchburg that could lead to further success (for those reading this in an email, click HERE).

Aside from polls, ODAC teams and student-athletes also rank highly in the latest update of NCAA statistical listings.  Below you'll find a snapshot (top 50 in the country) of some of the top rankings of ODAC teams and players in select NCAA statistical categories.  For more information, click any of the links in this release or visit the websites of any of the participating schools.  You can also go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com

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ODAC Women's Soccer in NCAA Stats - as of 9/18/11 (click HERE for more)
Bridgewater College
 - 27th in winning percentage (.857)
 - Anna Thiesen: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)

Emory & Henry College
 - 30th in shutout percentage (.667)
 - Bethany Myer: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)

Guilford College
 - Sarah Levitt: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)
 - Sarah Levitt: 42nd in points (15)
 - Sarah Levitt: 47th in points per game (2.5)
 - Sarah Levitt: 50th in goals per game (1.0 - tied)
 - Hannah Schiltz: 4th in game-winning goals (3)

Lynchburg College
 - 32nd in scoring offense (3.33 goals/gm. - tied)
 - Joanie Snyder: 22nd in assists (4 - tied)
 - Joanie Snyder: 48th in assists per game (.67 - tied)

Randolph College
 - Brittany Hammons: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)
 - Marielle Rando: 31st in assists per game (.750)
 - Hunter Gibson: 48th in save percentage (.886) 

Randolph-Macon College
 - 32nd in scoring offense (3.33 goals/gm. - tied)
 - Erin Hauser: 22nd in assists (4 - tied)
 - Erin Hauser: 34th in points (16 - tied)
 - Erin Hauser: 39th in points per game (2.67)
 - Erin Hauser: 48th in assists per game (.67)
 - Erin Hauser: 50th in goals per game (1.0 - tied)

Roanoke College
 - 44th in save percentage (.892)
 - Carolyn Sarbacher: 36th in save percentage (.900)
 - Carolyn Sarbacher: 45th in goals-against-average (.462)
 - Rebekah Adams: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)
 - Cindy Suttora: 22nd in game-winning goals (2 - tied)

Virginia Wesleyan College
 - 1st in winning percentage (1.000 - tied)
 - 25th in shutout percentage (.714)
 - 33rd in goals-against-average (.421)
 - Erica Keil: 44th in goals-against-average (.455)
 - Jessica Edelman: 1st in game-winning goals (5 - tied)
 - Jessica Edelman: 22nd in assists (4 - tied)
 - Jessica Edelman: 34th in points (16 - tied)

Washington and Lee University
 - 11th in goals-against-average (.191)
 - 14th in shutout percentage (.800)
 - 22nd in save percentage (.917)
 - 44th in scoring offense (3.2 goals/gm.)
 - Emily Leary: 16th in goals-against-average (.191)
 - Emily Leary: 26th in save percentage (.917)