2017 ODAC

[Ejay]

Washington and Lee Favored Atop ODAC Men's Soccer Poll

2017 ODAC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. Washington and Lee University (8)    115 pts.
2. Lynchburg College (3)    111 pts.
3. Roanoke College (1)    103 pts.
4. Virginia Wesleyan University    87 pts.
5. Randolph-Macon College    80 pts.
6. Randolph College    66 pts.
7. Bridgewater College    55 pts.
8. Eastern Mennonite University    51 pts.
9. Guilford College    38 pts.
10. Hampden-Sydney College    35 pts.
11. Emory & Henry College    30 pts.
12. Shenandoah University    21 pts.


FOREST, Va. --- Washington and Lee University finds itself in a familiar position entering the 2017 season as the Generals stand atop the ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll for the second straight year. W&L picked up 10 first place votes on the way to a table-topping 115 points. Defending ODAC champion Lynchburg College collected three top nods as part of a 111-tally showing. Roanoke College secured the remaining first place vote and also eclipsed the 100-point plateau with 103 markers in the annual coaches' survey.

The 2016 regular season proved a success in the first year of unbalanced play in men's soccer. Lynchburg and Washington and Lee each won seven conference games, with the former posting a pair of ties to trump W&L's one stalemate and lone conference loss for the first seed in the ODAC Tournament. The two foes squared off in the conference championship game in early November, with LC reversing a 2-1 regular season defeat to W&L with a 2-1 triumph for the title. Two second-half goals proved enough to wrap up the Hornets' ODAC-record 15th league crown and the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

For the first time since 2009, the league saw two squads carry an ODAC banner into the national field with Washington and Lee joining Lynchburg as an at-large selection. Both programs made their way thru first round action. Lynchburg scored a 4-2 triumph over John Carroll University (Ohio), while W&L cashed in all five of its penalty kicks to advance past St. Lawrence University after a 1-1 scoreline persisted following 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play. The 2016 campaign came to a close for both ODAC competitors in the second round. Washington and Lee dropped a 2-0 decision to early round host Franklin & Marshall College, while Lynchburg forced overtime before falling to Kenyon College, 2-1, on the turf at Shellenberger Field.

Entering the 2017 campaign, both Lynchburg and Washington and Lee have earned national attention. Formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), United Soccer Coaches (USC) show LC as the 19th ranked squad and W&L slotted 24th in the organization's annual Division III preseason top-25 coaches poll.

There won't be a shortage of familiar faces for ODAC fans to follow in 2017 with 25 of the 37 All-ODAC honorees from a season ago set to lace 'em up one more time. Roanoke and Washington and Lee feature a league-best five returners each and account for four of the eight All-ODAC First Team selections back on conference rosters. However, when it comes to first team talent, Lynchburg benefits from a trio of returning standouts. Forward Fredy Flores is back to lead reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Chris Yeager's attack, while midfielder Nate Berning will do his best to help link up the two halves of the pitch. Goalkeeper Dylan McLaurin returns between the sticks.

Roanoke's first team honorees include holding midfielder Fortune Sibanda and centerback Sam Rauf, giving RC a potent duo down the Maroons' spine. Washington and Lee features forward Dylan Ritch, who secured ODAC Player of the Year laurels last season. He's joined by back Oliver Dolberg. The remaining first team standout dons an Eastern Mennonite University kit as Emmanuel Boamah returns to bolster the Royals' defensive unit.

The 2017 season begins with non-conference play on Friday, September 1.  The first set of ODAC contests is slated for Saturday, September 23. The ODAC Tournament will feature a slightly altered format with eight teams opening quarterfinal play on Saturday, October 28. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and finals on Saturday-Sunday, November 4-5. If you can't make it to the games, be sure to check the schedules online for live video, audio and statistics links.

Listed below is the 2017 ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC men's soccer programs.  For more information on ODAC men's soccer, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

http://www.odaconline.com/sports/msoc/2017-18/releases/081717-msoc-preseasonpoll

[jknezek]

Good start for the Generals. Topped Greensboro 2-1 despite playing slightly more than a half down a man and then came back the  next day and topped CNU 2-1 on CNU's field. I was concerned they would have heavy legs for the second game given how much time they spent down a man in the first, but they looked good versus CNU for what I was able to watch.

I am a little concerned by the number of fouls W&L committed, something like 38 across the two games. At this level I understand that playing physical is important, but there is a line that leads away from soccer and into something else. I think some of the fouls against CNU were a function of being on the road, but there were still an awful lot.

Two big home tests this week hosting always tough Emory and highly ranked F&M.

[Ejay]

As I noted on a different thread, my observation from the W&L/CNU game (2nd half only) was that it was indeed physical. I didn't see anything too dirty, just physical. W&L controlled the MF and CNUs defense was very shakey at best. 

[jknezek]

As I noted on a different thread, my observation from the W&L/CNU game (2nd half only) was that it was indeed physical. I didn't see anything too dirty, just physical. W&L controlled the MF and CNUs defense was very shakey at best.

Yeah. I didn't see anything dirty, just a lot of consistent fouling. If it had only been one game I wouldn't have remarked on it. But both games had a lot of fouls called on W&L and the vast number of them I saw looked earned. Thanks for the thoughts. I didn't get to see a whole lot of the game so it's nice to have another opinion.

Pretty glad to start 2-0. The next two at home will be a good challenge as well.

[NokeAlum15]

Nice gesture by my boys.

https://youtu.be/mDOSE4CVhG4

[NokeAlum15]

Bridgewater 2 W&L 1

WTF happened here?

[jknezek]

Bridgewater 2 W&L 1

WTF happened here?

Ball wouldn't go in the net. W&L took 28 shots. Bridgewater's keeper made 11 saves. Bridgewater scored off a corner and off a rebound on a penalty kick.

It happens but it also furthers my point that I made in the national thread that W&L was not a top 10 team. I think they are a top 25 team, and if they win the AQ or at least make the finals of the ODAC tournament and win out to get an at-large, I expect they will win a game or two in the tournament. But I just don't think they are a top 10 team. I love to watch my boys and I'm hugely impressed by them, but Top 10 is seriously rarefied air.

[NokeAlum15]

I cannot remember the last time the ODAC had 4 schools ranked in the region.  I pleasant surprise.

[D3soccer2017]

Big game coming up this weekend for Randolph Macon vs. Lynchburg. They need a win against a good team to prove they are for real.

[NokeAlum15]

Agreed.  Their SOS compared to the ODAC "Big Three"  Lburg, Noke and W&L isn't favorable.

LBurg - 0.581
W&L -   0.578
Noke -  0.564
Macon - 0.517

Even though their W/L record is nice, a SOS like that will leave you on the outside looking in without an ODAC Tourney Championship.

[D3soccer2017]

Lynchburg beats Randolph Macon 2-1.  I think Macon outplayed Lynchburg for most of the first half, but didnt get the ball in the net. Lynchburgs senior goalie made a nice double save in the first 10 minutes of the game.  Lynchburg controlled the second half, scoring of a penalty kick and a pretty diving header off a nice cross. Macon scored off a penalty kick.

[NokeAlum15]

ODAC Tourney Matchups:

   #5 Hampden-Sydney        #4 Randolph-Macon       TBA   
   Game 2 - ODAC Quarterfinals

   #7 Randolph        #2 Roanoke       TBA   
   Game 4 - ODAC Quarterfinals

   #6 Bridgewater        #3 Washington and Lee       1:00 PM   
   Game 3 - ODAC Quarterfinals

   #8 Eastern Mennonite        #1 Lynchburg       7:00 PM   
   Game 1 - ODAC Quarterfinals

[jknezek]

W&L gets a chance to get some revenge on Bridgewater. That loss was... unfortunate.

[D3soccer2017]

Macons game against Bridgewater sounded a lot like W & L's game against Bridgewater. Macon out shot them 29-11 and only came away with a tie.

[D3soccer2017]

Macons game against Bridgewater sounded a lot like W & L's game against Bridgewater. Macon out shot them 29-11 and only came away with a tie.