NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion women’s lacrosse team was picked second in the Preseason Atlantic Sun Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Poll released on Friday with a total of 53 points, while two players were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
In the Monarchs’ first year in the A-Sun, ODU garnered one first-place vote en route to a second place spot in the preseason poll. Defending conference champions, Jacksonville, earned 59 points and six first-place votes to sit atop the poll, just six points ahead of ODU. Detroit placed third (41), Stetson placed fourth (37) and Furman rounded out the top-five with 33 total points. Kennesaw State (30), Mercer (25) and Howard (10) completed the poll.
The Monarchs return 21 players from last season, including Preseason All-Conference selections Ashmore Standing and Jessica Liberty.
A Virginia Beach native, Standing completed the 2014 campaign ranked fourth on the team in total points, racking up 27 on 23 goals and four assists. She also ranked third on the team with 25 ground balls, fourth with 15 draw controls and caused 22 turnovers. The redshirt junior highlighted the season with four goals against Virginia Tech and three goals against American.
Liberty, a senior from East Setauket, N.Y., finished last season second on the team in points. She recorded 36 total markers on 24 goals and 12 assists, which was tied for first on the team. She won 10 draw controls, added nine ground balls and caused six turnovers as well. She highlighted her junior campaign, scoring four goals against Liberty, three goals against Jacksonville, Stetson and American and two against William & Mary.
Seniors Abby Johanson and Christina Rea were also named to the Preseason Women’s Lacrosse Watch List. Johanson started in all 14 games in which she played last season. She recorded eight ground balls, seven caused turnovers and added one draw control. She helped lead the defense to 144 total caused turnovers and a 13.94 goals-against average. Rea finished her junior season ranked third on the team in points with 32. She tallied 29 goals, which ranked second on the team, and three assists. She also added 14 ground balls and eight draw controls. She highlighted the season scoring five goals against Virginia Tech.
The Lady Monarchs will kick off the year on the road at Gardner Webb on Feb. 14 with a 1:00 p.m. start time. ODU will open its home schedule on Feb. 18 against Longwood at 4:00 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
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