Men’s soccer: 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.
The Maroons (14-4-2, 8-1-1) welcome back the 2008 Rookie of the Year, Michael Stark, who 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. Additionally, Roanoke returns two All-ODAC selections in midfielder Taylor Johnston and defender Cameron Lee (Cave Spring).
Women’s soccer: 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. Roanoke (11-7-2, 8-2-1) looks to make a move on the top of the conference in 2009. Two-time First-Team All-ODAC junior Jessica Welfare (Hidden Valley) returns to the center of midfield.
Volleyball: Washington and Lee University maintains its familiar spot atop the ODAC volleyball ranks as the league’s coaches picked the Generals as the favorite to win their 13th conference title in the 2009 ODAC Volleyball Preseason Poll. Roanoke (24-4, 7-3) fell to Bridgewater in the ODAC Quarterfinals. The Maroons broke school-records in wins (24), best start (10-0), and best overall record.
They welcome back senior All-ODAC libero/setter Caitlyn Long (Cave Spring), who currently holds the school-record in career digs and is ranked among the top-10 all-time in assists as well. Also returning are fellow local high school products and All-ODAC hitters Maggie Wagner and Kelsey Largen, who led the Maroons in kills last season.
Field Hockey: Lynchburg College stands atop the 2009 ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll as the league’s coaches tabbed the Hornets to win their fourth straight ODAC crown. Roanoke, which has won six games over the last two seasons, will look to improve on its 3-14 mark in 2008. The Maroons welcome back two-time All-ODAC selection Mariah Vietri, plus fellow All-ODAC performers Lee Sheldon and Shawna Poole.
Cross Country: the Roanoke men are ranked fourth, with Lynchburg College the preseason top pick. The Maroons finished fifth in the ODAC Championships last fall. They bring back seniors Charlie Counts and Nick Zgorski. Doug Fender is making a comeback from an injury that sidelined him last season.
The Maroons cross-country women is ranked third, with Washington & Lee picked first. Roanoke placed three runners on the all-conference teams in finishing second at the 2008 championships. Senior Elizabeth Mumaw (Berryville, VA, Clarke County) finished sixth, while Maggie Moore (Patrick Henry) was 12th.
