Forest, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg field hockey squad earned a spot atop the 2025 Old Dominion Athletic Conference preseason poll standings alongside Shenandoah, released on Wednesday and voted on by coaches in the conference.

The Lynchburg Hornets earn first-place in the conference's preseason rankings for the third occasion in the last five seasons. Both Hornet squads in the ODAC earned equal points and first-place votes with 60 and four, respectively. In 2024, Lynchburg finished with 16 wins throughout the entire season, the third consecutive year with over 15 victories. The Hill City crew received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and claimed an exhilarating first-round triumph in overtime against Susquehanna on Shellenberger Field.

Many of the Hornets key performers from 2024 are set to return this season. Two-time All-American Khanyisile Mzizi, who scored six goals, including the overtime winner in the NCAA tournament, is set to be a significant piece of the squad yet again in 2025. After graduating just three student-athletes from last year's squad, this group is experienced and ready to compete for a conference championship once again.

Lynchburg will embark on its 2025 campagin this weekend in Granville, Ohio, starting with matchups against Denision and Depauw on August 30 and August 31, respectively. To view the complete schedule for 2025, click here.

2025 ODAC FIELD HOCKEY PRESEASON POLL *(First-Place Votes)

1. University of Lynchburg (4) 60 pts.
2. Shenandoah University (4) 60 pts.
3. Washington and Lee University (1) 50 pts.
4. Bridgewater College 42 pts.
5. Randolph-Macon College 34 pts.
6. Virginia Wesleyan University 29 pts.
7. Roanoke College 26 pts.
8. Sweet Briar College 13 pts.
9. Eastern Mennonite University 10 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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