Forest, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's soccer team was selected at third place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason poll for the second consecutive season, voted on by the conference's coaches and announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Hornets received 125 points in the voting format, one of four teams to hit the double-digit mark in the poll. Atop the rankings for the 2025 season is Washington and Lee with 144 points and 12 first-place votes. Sneaking in front of Lynchburg for the number two slot was Virginia Wesleyan receiving 129 points and one first place vote. Bridgewater (101 points) and Randolph-Macon (95 points) rounded out the top five in this year's poll.

Lynchburg closed out last season with a 12-5-3 overall record, the fourth straight season achieving double-figures in the win column. With an 8-0-2 record in conference play, Lynchburg earned 26 points to secure the second seed in the ODAC postseason. After taking down Bridgewater in the conference quarterfinals, Lynchburg was nipped by Virginia Wesleyan in the semifinals, 3-2. 

Though Lynchburg graduated 11 seniors from last year's squad, this year's group includes a freshman class of 13 student-athletes and returns many significant pieces from last season, including - but not limited to - Madelyn Boyce (2024 leading goal and point scorer), Lauren Orner (2024 All-ODAC First Team and All-State Second Team), and Sammie Rogstad (All-ODAC Second Team).

To kick off the 2025 campaign, the Hornets are set for a trip to Roanoke for back-to-back contests against Denison on Saturday, August 30 at 11 a.m. and Rhodes on Sunday, August 31 at 11 a.m. 

To view the full 2025 Lynchburg women's soccer schedule, click here.

2025 ODAC WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL *(First-Place Vote)

1. Washington and Lee University (12) 144 pts.
2. Virginia Wesleyan University (1) 129 pts.
3. University of Lynchburg 125 pts.
4. Bridgewater College 101 pts.
5. Randolph-Macon College 95 pts.
6. Shenandoah University 93 pts.
7. Roanoke College 82 pts.
8. Guilford College 71 pts.
9. Randolph College 54 pts.
10. Averett University 44 pts.
11. Eastern Mennonite University 37 pts.
12. Hollins University 26 pts.
13. Sweet Briar College 13 pts.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

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