ODAC Releases Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

SALEM, Va. -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference released its 2009 women's soccer preseason poll on Wednesday afternoon and Washington and Lee was picked to finish third, receiving one first-place vote.

Lynchburg, the two-time defending ODAC champion, received 8-of-12 first place votes on the way to 140 total points. Virginia Wesleyan receieved three first-place votes and 132 points, while W&L rounded out the first-place vote recipients with one vote and 121 points. Roanoke (111), Guilford (83), Eastern Mennonite (82), Bridgewater (70) and Randolph-Macon (69), Emory & Henry (55), Randolph (27), Hollins (24) and Sweet Briar (22) completed the poll.

Washington and Lee will look to build on the success of last season after finishing with a 13-5-0 (9-2-0 ODAC) record and advancing to the semifinals of the league tournament.

The Generals will return seniors Roz Klann (Denver, Colo./George Washington) and Maggie Sutherland (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sewickley Academy) to the midfield. Both were named to the All-ODAC women's soccer team last season, along with sophomores Kat Barnes (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park) and Corinne Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley). The Generals also return three of their five top scorers from last season, part of a squad that averaged 4.72 goals per game, best in the ODAC. Barnes (16g, 6a), Allie Espina (Gaithersburg, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) (10g, 3a) and Anne Masich (Raleigh, N.C./Needham B. Broughton) (7g) will once again look to lead the offense.

The Generals take to the field for the first time Sept. 12 and face Greensboro as a part of the Methodist tournament. The game is slated to start at 4:00 pm.

-- GENERALS --