Washington and Lee University
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference released its 2008 field hockey preseason coaches poll on Tuesday afternoon and Washington and Lee was pegged to finish third.
Lynchburg, the two-time defending ODAC champion, was picked first with 60 overall points and five first-place votes. Eastern Mennonite was second with 56 overall points and two first-place votes. W&L received a total of 49 points, including one first-place vote.
W&L returns six starters from the 2007 team that reached the ODAC semifinals. First Team All-ODAC performer Sallie Armstrong (Houston, Texas/St. John's), Second Team All-ODAC honoree Liz Garson (Richmond, Va./Collegiate) and reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year Emily Mathews (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr) are among the returnees. The 2007 squad finished 11-7 overall and 5-2 in the ODAC.
Armstrong, a junior, started every game for the Generals last season and led the team in goals scored (15) and points (31). She currently ranks fourth in program history in goals scored (22) and total points (56).
The Generals open the 2008 campaign on Sept. 6 when they travel to Centre for a 1:00 pm encounter.
2008 ODAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Lynchburg 60 (5)
2. Eastern Mennonite 56 (2)
3. Washington and Lee 49 (1)
4. Randolph-Macon 40
5. Virginia Wesleyan 28
6. Roanoke 26
7. Bridgewater 20
8. Sweet Briar 9
-- GENERALS --
