Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Contact: Chris Kilcoyne

 

Roanoke Tabbed as Favorite in 2006 ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll

 

SALEM , VA – Coming off an appearance in the National Semifinals a season ago, the Roanoke College Maroons have been tabbed as the favorite in the 2006 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll.

 

In a vote taken of the league’s seven head coaches, RC received 47 points and five first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll. 

 

Head Coach Bill Pilat returns 2005 ODAC Player-of-the-Year Matt Madalon who last season posted a .619 save percentage and a 8.37 goals-against-average in leading the Maroons to the ODAC Championship game and a school record 15 victories.  Joining Madalon will be the ODAC’s leading scorer from last season Jon Mason who notched 74 goals and eight assists for a total of 82 points.

 

Defending ODAC Champion Lynchburg garnered 42 points and one first place vote to take the second spot in the poll.  LC posted an overall record of 13-5 and a 4-2 mark in league play in 2005.  The Hornets knocked off Roanoke by the score of 11-10 in the ODAC Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament. 

 

Ryan Cranston returns for LC after scoring 33 goals last season, earning second-team all-conference honors.  On the defensive side, 2005 ODAC Rookie-of-the-Year Garrett Curran returns between the pipes trying to follow up his performance from a season ago in which he led the ODAC with a 6.94 goals-against-average.

 

Hampden-Sydney landed in the third slot with a total of 36 points and one first-place vote.  Last season, the Tigers went 8-5 overall and 4-2 in the ODAC.  First-Team All-ODAC selection John Pritzlaff returns to anchor an HSC defense that surrendered 7.54 goals-per-game last season. 

 

Washington and Lee finished fourth with 31 points followed by Randolph-Macon (18 points), Guilford (12 points) and Virginia Wesleyan (12 points).

 

 

2006 ODAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll

Place   Team                                       Points (First-Place Votes)

1.         Roanoke                                    47 (5)
2.         Lynchburg                                  42 (1)
3.         Hampden-Sydney                      36 (1)
4.         Washington and Lee                  31

5.         Randolph-Macon                        18
6.         Guilford                                      12

            Virginia Wesleyan                      12