College Women’s Lacrosse News – Guilford Ranked Eighth in Preseason ODAC Poll

FOREST, Va. –Guilford College’s women’s lacrosse team is ranked eighth in the 2016 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coaches’ Preseason Poll released Thursday. Six-time defending ODAC champion Washington and Lee University leads the rankings with six first-place votes. It’s a tight race at the top, with second-place Randolph-Macon College receiving the remaining four first-place votes and finishing two overall points behind the Generals.

The Quakers finished 2015 with an overall record of 8-8, 4-6 in the ODAC. Guilford needs to make do without three-time First-Team All-ODAC performer Eleanora Keene ‘15. Keene finished her Guilford career as the school’s career record holder in ground balls (244), draw controls (474) and caused turnovers (125). Junior Demming Carlow is the Quakers’ top returning scorer after totaling 41 points on 36 goals and five assists in 2015. Carlow earned her first career All-ODAC selection as a third-team honoree.

Guilford also returns senior midfielder Marina Bailey, the team’s leading returner in both ground balls (39) and draw controls (27). Junior goalie Sammi Milbourn looks to build off a strong sophomore season in which she made nine starts and ranked fifth in the ODAC in save percentage (.475).

Head coach Sarah Lamphier’s team opens the 2016 season at home February 20 versus Methodist University. The team’s first ODAC contest is March 14 at Bridgewater College.

2016 ODAC WOMEN’S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL (#) Denotes first-place votes
1. Washington and Lee (6) 78
2. Randolph-Macon (4) 76
3. Roanoke 58
4. Lynchburg 57
5. Shenandoah 51
6. Virginia Wesleyan 38
7. Bridgewater 37
8. Guilford 29
9. Randolph 17
10. Hollins 9