Guilford Ranked in Preseason ODAC Lacrosse Polls
Greensboro, N.C. (2/11/09) -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) released its men's and women's lacrosse preseason polls Wednesday. Guilford's men were picked seventh by the league's head lacrosse coaches and the Quakers' women hold the fifth spot.
In the men's poll, Roanoke College tops the rankings with five of seven first-place votes. Defending league champ Lynchburg College finished second in the balloting and received the remaining first-place votes. Washington and Lee University stands first in the women's poll and secured seven first-place votes. The Generals return three first-team all-league picks from their 2008 unit, which won a league-record 10th ODAC crown. Roanoke College received a pair of first-place votes and was tabbed second.
Fifth-year head coach Andy Rowe returns 14 letter winners from last year's Guilford men's squad that went 2-12 (0-6 ODAC). Key returners include senior captains Gates Benson and Matt Meriwether. A 2008 Second Team All-ODAC selection, Benson starts on defense alongside classmate Warren Brown. Meriwether is Guilford's top returning scorer in the midfield. Manny Sargeant is a redshirt senior returning to the Quakers' midfield after missing the 2008 season due to injury.
Head women's coach Matthew Grosso looks to improve on last year's 9-7 (5-3 ODAC) record-setting season with nine returning letter winners and 10 newcomers. Guilford only returns one starter from the from its attacking line, junior Ellie Merritt. Junior captains Carrie Ernst and Shelly Nogueira, both 2008 honorable mention All-ODAC selections, return as the Quakers’ top midfielders. Guilford's defensive unit will be anchored by two-time all-league defender Jenn Abelin, who led the 2008 team in ground balls and caused turnovers. Junior Alyzza-May Callahan returns as the Quakers' starting goal keeper.
Guilford's women's lacrosse team opens the season Sunday (2/15) against visiting Mary Washington College in the Armfield Athletic Center. Guilford's men host Goucher College Feb. 21 in their opener.
2009 ODAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) |
2009 ODAC Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) |
Place Team Points 1. Washington and Lee (7) 78 2. Roanoke (2) 71 3. Virginia Wesleyan 63 4. Randolph-Macon 56 5. Guilford 43 6. Lynchburg 39 7. Sweet Briar 26 8. Bridgewater 20 9. Hollins 9 |
Place Team Points 1. Roanoke (5) 44 2. Lynchburg (2) 41 3. Washington and Lee 38 4. Hampden-Sydney 31 5. Randolph-Macon 17 6. Virginia Wesleyan 17 7. Guilford 8 |