Forest, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg men's soccer squad was one of two squads selected as the best team in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason poll, voted on by men's soccer coaches in the conference and announced on Friday afternoon.

This year, both the Hornets and the Washington and Lee Generals were knotted atop the preseason rankings with equal points (116) and first place votes (6). Trailing behind the top two squads is Virginia Wesleyan with 96 points, Roanoke with 92 points, and Hampden-Sydney with 79 points. 

Lynchburg returned to the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive season, taking down Emory in the first round of the tournament with a 3-0 final. Prior to that, the Hornets squared off against the Generals in the ODAC Championship and were edged out, 1-0. Going into the conference postseason, the Hornets earned the top seed with a 7-1-2 record in conference play and claimed the right to host throughout the ODAC tournament. With a 13-4-4 overall record, the squad concluded its season within the top 25 in the national United Soccer Coaches rankings. 

One of the most impressive defensive units in the country last season returns its entire backline for the 2025 campaign. ODAC Defensive Player of the Year Benjamin Velasquez and ODAC Rookie of the Year William Casey will command the backing unit, along with First Team All-ODAC goalkeeper Thomas Viscuso. Last season, Lynchburg allowed just .57 goals per game, which was the best mark in the conference in seven years and 12th-best across the nation in Division III in 2024.

To view the complete 2025 Lynchburg men's soccer schedule, click here.

2025 ODAC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL *(First-Place Vote)
1. University of Lynchburg (6) 116 pts.
1. Washington and Lee University (6) 116 pts.
3. Virginia Wesleyan University 96 pts.
4. Roanoke College 92 pts.
5. Hampden-Sydney College 79 pts.
6. Shenandoah University 67 pts.
7. Randolph-Macon College 65 pts.
8. Bridgewater College 45 pts.
9. Eastern Mennonite University 42 pts.
10. Averett University 33 pts.
11. Randolph College 28 pts.
12. Guilford 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.

Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.

Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X.