Guilford Ranked in Preseason ODAC Men's and Women's Lacrosse Polls
Greensboro, N.C. (2/15/08) -- Guilford's men's lacrosse team has been picked seventh in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's (ODAC) preseason coaches' poll released Thursday. The Quakers' women's lacrosse team was picked sixth in the nine-team poll. Selections were made by each sport's head coaches.
Entering the 2008 season, Guilford's men look to improve upon their 3-10 record last year.The Quakers faced a tough schedule in 2007, suffering five losses to teams ranked among the nation’s top 20 at one point. Head coach Andy Rowe adds 12 newcomers to a team that returns 23 letter winners, including eight starters, and looks to lead Guilford back into ODAC contention. Andrew Vigne returns for his fourth year starting in the cage for the Quakers. The defense returns all three starters from last year, including senior Tyler Harrison, a 2007 honorable mention All-ODAC pick and 2008 preseason Inside Lacrosse honorable mention All-American.
Guilford begin action Saturday (2/23) in a 1:00 p.m. game with visiting York College (Pa.).
Head coach Matthew Grosso begins his fourth year at the helm of the Quakers after the school’s most successful women's lacrosse season in nearly a decade. The Quakers finished 4-4 in the ODAC, earned a second straight trip to the six-team conference tournament and produced a team-record six All-ODAC selections. Guilford’s up-tempo offense was third in the ODAC in 2007 with 11.88 goals per game. Senior Mary Hutchins and junior Jennifer Abelin, both 2007 First Team All-ODAC honorees, return as the Quakers’ top players. Hutchins led Guilford in scoring for the third straight year, while Abelin, a defensive specialist, led the team in ground balls and caused turnovers. Grosso and third-year assistant Susanna Young look to improve on last year’s 8-9 record with 13 returning letter winners.
The Quakers open the season at home Sunday (2/24) versus Christopher Newport University at 2:00 p.m.
2008 ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) 1. Roanoke - 45 (4) 2. Lynchburg - 43 (2) 3. Washington and Lee 35 - (1) 4. Hampden-Sydney - 29 5. Virginia Wesleyan - 21 6. Randolph-Macon - 15 7. Guilford - 9 |
2008 ODAC Women’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) 1. Washington and Lee - 77 (6) 2. Roanoke - 73 (2) 3. Randolph-Macon - 59 (1) 4. Virginia Wesleyan - 55 5. Lynchburg - 43 6. Guilford - 41 7. Bridgewater - 27 8. Sweet Briar - 19 9. Hollins - 10 |