VIRGINIA BEACH -- Wednesday's scoreless double overtime deadlock between No. 11 Lynchburg College and No. 14 Virginia Wesleyan College in the opening Old Dominion Athletic Conference contest for both teams was a story of near-misses for the host Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan (5-0-1) outshot Lynchburg (4-0-1) 12-5, missing numerous chances to break the goose-eggs on the scoreboard.  One of those chances took place as the final seconds of the first ticked away.  Senior Bre Ingargiola (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) found herself in a one-on-one situation with Lynchburg goalie Audrey Moore (Clifton/Centreville), but could not get the shot to connect.

In the second half the Marlins Samantha Sanders (Allentown, Pa./Fleetwood) also found herself facing only the Hornets goalie, set up by a cross from left to right by senior Jessica Edeman (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional).  Sanders got off a strong shot but it sailed over the cross bar.  Later in the half senior Christina Fernandes (Tinton Falls, N.J./Tinton Falls) beat the Lynchburg defense for a shot, but it also missed the mark by inches.

Lynchburg's best shot at scoring took place in the second overtime session when Kristen Melchiori (Chantilly/Chantilly) got the ball to Nikki Rhodes (Stephens City/Shernado) who launched a shot that was too high.

Lynchburg, the defending ODAC champion, managed only two shots in regulation play, unable to get the ball through a VWC defense led by Krista Witmer (Lancaster, Pa./Millersville) and Angel Horowitz (Bushkill, Pa./East Stroudsburg North). 

In addition to out-shooting the Hornets, the Marlins also posted a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Junior goalie Erica Keil (Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic) recorded three saves for Virginia Wesleyan.  Moore finished with four saves for Lynchburg.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Saturday, Sept. 15, hosting Hollins University at 1 p.m. in ODAC play.

--AMDG--