FOREST, Va. — Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) women’s lacrosse coaches tabbed Guilford College sixth in their annual preseason poll released Wednesday. The Quakers received 43 points in the 10-team ranking. Two-time defending league champion Washington and Lee University earned seven first-place votes and is tabbed for the number-one spot with 79 points. Lynchburg College received two top nods and is second with 73 points. Roanoke College and Virginia Wesleyan College share third place with 62 points apiece.
Head coach Matthew Grosso begins his eighth season with 10 returning students, including eight starters from last year’s 6-11 team. The Quakers qualified for the ODAC Tournament quarterfinals, but fell to Virginia Wesleyan in the first round.
Seniors Summer Frazier and Katie Oliver both return after earning Second Team All-ODAC honors in 2011. Frazier, a midfielder, ranked second on the team with career highs of 40 goals, 11 assists and 51points. Her 3.24 draw controls per game ranked fourth in the ODAC and her 55 draws stand second in school history. Oliver, a defender, started in 16 games and tallied a team-high 60 ground balls. She ledthe team in caused turnovers (25) which stands third in Guilford history.
Sophomore attack E’leyna Garcia returns after receiving honorable mention All-ODAC recognition in her rookie campaign. Garcia led the team with 64 points on 45 goals and 19 assists and ranked second with 39 draw controls. Her 64 points stand third in school history and her 3.71 points per game ranked seventh in the league.
After the Quakers Lacrosse Challenge Feb. 11, the Quakers officially open the 2012 season Feb. 18 at Berry College in Georgia.
2012 ODAC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
(#) denotes first-place votes
1. Washington and Lee (7) 79 pts. 2. Lynchburg (2) 73 pts. 3. Roanoke 62 pts. 3. Virginia Wesleyan (1) 62 pts. 5. Randolph-Macon 45 pts. 6. Guilford 43 pts. 7. Bridgewater 35 pts. 8. Sweet Briar 22 pts. 9. Hollins 17 pts. 10. Randolph 12 pts.