College Men’s Lacrosse News – Quakers Tabbed Seventh in Preseason ODAC Poll

GREENSBORO, N.C — The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men’s lacrosse coaches picked Guilford College seventh in their annual preseason poll released Wednesday. The Quakers received 37 points in the 10-team rankings. Roanoke College earned the top spot with five first-place points and 76 overall points. Reigning ODAC champion Washington and Lee University was second with four first-place points and 75 overall points.

The Quakers are coming off an 8-9 (4-5 ODAC) season in which they were eliminated in the quarterfinals ODAC Tournament by Hampden-Sydney College. Guilford returns five starters among 18 letter winners, including senior Erik Fries, the Quakers’ top defender and a 2016 Second Team All-ODAC honoree. Fries was second on the team in ground balls (39) and caused 12 turnovers in 16 appearances last season. Other key veterans include junior goalie Parker Styles and sophomore attackman Zachary Berkowitz. Styles started all 17 contests last season and made 185 saves, which ranked fifth among ODAC leaders. Berkowitz is the top returning scorer for Guilford. He led the team in goals in 2016 with 27 and ranked second with 36 points and nine assists.

The Quakers play their season opener February 18 against The University of the South (Sewanee) at 1 p.m. They finish the month of February off with a matchup against Greensboro College Feb. 22, and an away game versus Sothern Virginia University Feb. 25.

2017 ODAC MEN’S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL (#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. Roanoke College (5) 76
2. Washington and Lee (4) 75
3.Lynchburg (1) 63
4. Hampden-Sydney 62
5. Virginia Wesleyan 46
6. Randolph-Macon 40
7. Guilford College 37
8. Bridgewater College 20
9. Randolph College 16
10. Shenandoah University 15