VIRGINIA BEACH -- There was a mob scene on Foster Field at the Trinder Center Wednesday on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College ... and with good reason.

Rookie Kyle Fisher seconds earlier rocketed a 15 yard shot from the left through the Lynchburg College defense and into the middle of the net to lift Virginia Wesleyan's Marlins to a hard-fought 1-0 overtime victory over the Hornets.

The victory marked Virginia Wesleyan's second key Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win in three days, following a 1-0 decision over previously undefeated Washington and Lee University at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. VWC, 3-0-1 in its last four outings, is now 9-4-1 overall and 5-2 in the conference, while Lynchburg is 6-5-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the league.

It was also the second game-winning goal in a row for Fisher (Virginia Beach/Landstown), who scored the lone goal against Washington and Lee, assisted by senior Brian Cornell (Front Royal/Warren County).  His goal against Lynchburg was just a little more dramatic, as he got by the Lynchburg defender, turned to the right and ripped the game-winner into the net with 4:55 played in OT.

Virginia Wesleyan's players raced across the field to congratulate and celebrate with Fisher, who scored his seventh goal of the season.  He now shares VWC's goal-scoring lead with Cornell.

The 56th contest in a long-time rivalry between the schools was a well-played, but very physical game that included 24 fouls, including 13 on the Hornets, and seven yellow cards, including four on the Marlins. 

Guided by Chris Luce (Chesapeake/Oscar F. Smith), Josh McNamara (Springfield/West Springfield), Josh Kemp (Frisco, Texas/Addison Trinity Christian), and Cornell, the Marlins had the better of things offensively from start to finish.  The effort was complemented by the defense as Brian Le (Springfield/West Springfield), Brandon St. Amour (Stafford/Mountain View), and Reid Peterson (Virginia Beach/Salem) were among the Marlins who thwarted Lynchburg advances by taking the ball and firing it the other direction.

Virginia Wesleyan outshot Lynchburg 20-9, including 12-5 in the first half.  Both teams finished with five corner kicks.

While the Hornets managed only three shots in the second half, they did get a break and an opportunity to score on a foul inside the box in the 77th minute.  Chaz Ashton (Edmond, Okla./Chantilly) took the kick for the Hornets, but saw it sail high over the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.

Connor Kirkham (Centreville/Chantilly Westfield) finished with three saves for Virginia Wesleyan.  Jonathan Sheffield (Dale City/C.D. Hylton) recorded nine saves for Lynchburg.

Virginia Wesleyan continues competition on Saturday, Oct. 19, in another big ODAC game.  The Marlins face defending ODAC champion Roanoke College at 7 p.m. in Salem.  The Maroons won the ODAC title last year with a 1-0 double overtime win over VWC.

--AMDG--