Lynchburg, Va. -

     After falling in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference semifinal’s last season to Roanoke, the Lynchburg College women’s lacrosse team was voted second in the conference pre-season poll heading into the 2012 season. Washington and Lee, the only ODAC program Lynchburg lost to in the 2011 regular season, was atop the poll with 79 total points to LC’s 73.

     The Hornets return a slew of talent starting with senior attacker, Lesley Buckingham, who led the team with 89 points on 65 goals and 24 assists on her way to an All-ODAC selection. Buckingham’s 65 goals placed her third in the conference in that category. Junior’s Kendall Adkin and Julie Will also return for Lynchburg after solid sophomore campaigns. Adkin was second on the team in goals (44) and second in assists (18) while Will showed her ability to score finding the back of the net 22 times.

     Senior goalkeeper Christina Tran, who was named All-ODAC in 2011, returns after finishing first in goals against average (8.60) and save percentage (52.8%) in the conference. Sophomores Caroline Kilby and Bri Slate will see more playing time this year after solid rookie season’s in which they scored nine and eight goals respectively.

     In 2011, Lynchburg finished third in the conference in goals per game (14.65) and first in goals against average (7.95)  With all the talent returning the squad looks to have the same high powered offense and stellar defense that led them to a  8 – 1 record in conference play.

     Last season’s early exit from the conference tournament after a spectacular regular season left the Hornets even hungrier as they seek their first ODAC Championship since 1989 and sixth overall.

     The program kicks off their 2012 campaign on Saturday Mar. 3 against Berry College on Shellenberger Field. They begin conference play a week later on Mar. 10 against Virginia Wesleyan.