FOREST, Va. – With the start of the season four days away, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference has released the women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll. This year, Emory & Henry College finds itself picked to finish eighth out of the 12 teams in the league.

“We are looking to continue to move forward this season as our program continues to grow and build,” said Head Coach Linda-Schirmeister-Gess, who is now in her fourth year with the Wasps. “We look forward to having our freshmen contribute heavily this year as we aim to be deeper all over the field. The challenges which play in the ODAC presents give our players a great opportunity to test themselves against the country’s best.”

E&H welcomes back seven starters from last year’s team, highlighted by senior midfielder Emily Belanger (Tampa, Fla.) who led the team in goals scored a year ago with five, and senior midfielder Blair Vaughn (Gate City, Va.), who scored two goals in 2014. Back for the Wasp defense is senior Maria Byrd (Weber City, Va.) and junior Willow Hubbard (Asheville, N.C.).

Sophomores Daishi Dudley (Rocky Mount, Va.) and April Yopp (Franklin County, Va.) each scored a trio of goals during their freshman year and will be counted on for continued contribution. Junior midfielder Baylee Dozark (Tampa, Fla.) and sophomore defender Madison Vaughn (Gate City, Va.) also return. Back in goal for Emory & Henry is sophomore Kayla Wright (Franklin County, Va.) who posted two shutouts and made 61 saves in her rookie campaign.

The seven freshmen and one transfer on this year’s team will be expected to make a significant contribution early in the year, both providing depth at certain positions and challenging for starting spots at others. This rookie class brings a multitude of all-district, all-conference and all-region awards to campus.

Defending national champion Lynchburg College is picked win its sixth-straight league title this season, earning 11 first-place votes. Washington and Lee University is second while Virginia Wesleyan College and Bridgewater College tied for third. VWC picked up the final first-place vote.

Emory & Henry will begin the season on Tuesday, September 1 when it hosts Averett University at Fred Selfe Stadium at 5:00 p.m. The Wasps will hit the road for the opening weekend of play, facing off against Southern Virginia University and Marymount University on the SVU campus.

For more information about ODAC Women's Soccer and to learn about each of the league's 12 teams, click HERE.

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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15