Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team returns a roster filled with scorers for the 2018 season. Anna Pedicone, last season’s ODAC Rookie of the Year, and Alex Davidson, an All-ODAC second team honoree, led the team in scoring last season and are expected to pace the offense again this year. In goal, the Marlins rely on junior Tristen Roberts who has 16 saves on the year. The ODAC preseason poll predicted the Marlins to finish second, following behind Lynchburg, the reigning ODAC champion. The team opened the season nationally ranked #24. After falling to top ranked teams #9 Wisconsin-La Crosse and #6 Johns Hopkins, the Marlins should control a majority of their ODAC schedule, and will be a likely contender for the ODAC crown.
Men’s Soccer
Despite an early end to their 2017 season as they did not qualify for the ODAC tournament, the men’s soccer team return with a core group of experienced players, providing them the opportunity to be a significant ODAC competitor. Despite finishing ninth last year in the ODAC, the Marlins are predicted fifth after they brought in a fresh incoming class. Returning to the field this year is Ricky Perrault, who earned All-ODAC second team honors last season. Joining him are fellow seniors Kyle Richardson in midfield and Andrew Freeman in the backfield.
Volleyball
Volleyball enters the 2018 season with a young core. Their roster is composed of seven freshmen and only two seniors to make up for it. Despite this, the ball is in their court to pick up from where they left off last season. Making a run to the ODAC semifinals last season, senior Kristina Scott cited that strong finish as motivation to go even further this season. She has already logged 68 kills on the year through seven matches. Also making an impact early on is junior Meghan Wood, who leads the team in assists with 146. The Marlins entered the ODAC preseason poll ranked third, throwing them into the conversation for top ODAC squad.
Field Hockey
Field Hockey opened the season with one win and two losses already under their belt, but their win was a dominating 15-0 shutout over Hood. This win speaks to the scoring potential the team has. “We’re definitely an attacking unit this year,” head coach Christina Restivo said. The Marlins return all of their All-ODAC honorees from last season in Elizabeth Roberto, Cori Jackson and Skye Swain. The team placed seventh on the ODAC preseason poll. While lower than preferred, the Marlins consistently compete with top teams such as Roanoke and Shenandoah, and this season will be no different.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
Cross country had big shoes to fill once Marissa Coombs graduated last year, but their first meet showcased that they still have competitive ODAC runners on the roster. On the men’s side, freshman runner Skyler Lattuca made a name for himself by placing first at the Bridgewater Eagle Cross Country Challenge. Junior Michael Tres also got his name in the mix by placing fourth. In the women’s event at Bridgewater, sophomore Gina Donatelli placed twelfth. The ODAC preseason poll placed men’s cross country fifth in the conference, and the women’s team seventh.
Megan Sherman
mrsherman@vwu.edu
