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WildCats will look to finish above their number seven preseason ranking
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Lynchburg, VA -- Roanoke College stands atop the 2009 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll as the league's coaches tabbed the Maroons to win their fifth ODAC title in 10 years. Roanoke received five first place votes on the way to 112 total points. Virginia Wesleyan College (107 pts.) and Lynchburg College (105 pts.) are separated by only two points for second and third, respectively. The Marlins picked up three first place nods, while the Hornets collected a pair. Hampden-Sydney College (94 pts.) garnered the remaining top nod.
Randolph was selected 7th in the coaches' annual survey with 55 total points. WildCats head coach Bryan Waggoner welcomes back an experienced group that posted a school-best seven wins in 2008 and their first-ever trip to the ODAC postseason tournament. Leading the cast of returnees is junior standout Eddy Ratianarivo who collected First Team All-ODAC honors as well as being named to the VaSIDA All-State Second Team last season. Ratianarivo posted 13 points on four goals and five assists with a team-high 41 shots on goal. Junior forward Jonathon Bolton is back after leading the team with 17 points on eight goals and one assist in 2008. Bolton led the conference with four game-winning goals while being named Second Team All-ODAC. Also returning is junior goalie Aaron Humphreys who boasted a 1.89 goals against average with 100 saves on way to being named to the ODAC Sportsmanship Team. Leading the backline is junior Justin Stephens who garnered ODAC Honorable Mention recognition a season ago.
Randolph adds nine newcomers to the squad in 2009, which will look to add depth to the lineup. The WildCats open the 2009 campaign on Tuesday, September 1 when they host Bluefield College at 7:00 pm. The 2009 ODAC Men's Soccer Tournament begins with quarterfinal action on Saturday, October 31, followed by the semifinals on Wednesday, November 4. The championship game is set for Saturday, November 7. All game will be played on the campus of the higher seed in each matchup.
Posted below is the complete 2009 ODAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. For more information visit the ODAC's home on the internet at www.odaconline.com.
2009 ODAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
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1. Roanoke (5) |
112 pts. |
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2. Virginia Wesleyan (3) |
107 pts. |
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3. Lynchburg (2) |
105 pts. |
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4. Hampden-Sydney (1) |
94 pts. |
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5. Washington and Lee |
68 pts. |
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6. Eastern Mennonite |
60 pts. |
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7. Randolph |
55 pts. |
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8. Randolph-Macon |
46 pts. |
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9. Guilford |
38 pts. |
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10. Emory & Henry |
23 pts. |
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11. Bridgewater |
18 pts. |
CONTACT: Vince Scalzo, Sports Information Director
