ASHLAND, Va. -- Virginia Wesleyan College's men's soccer team opened up a 3-1 lead over host Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday and held on for an exciting 3-2 decision in the regular-season finale for both teams.

VWC's Marlins won for the sixth straight outing and remained undefeated in the last eight games en route to improving their record to 13-4-1.  Most importantly, the Marlins improved to 9-2 in the league and earned the No. 2 seed in the upcoming ODAC championship tournament.  Virginia Wesleyan will host Bridgewater College on Saturday, Nov. 2, at a time to be determined.

Senior Brian Cornell (Front Royal/Warren County) put the Marlins on the path to victory, scoring the first goal in the 11th minute off an assist from Isaac Arrington (DeSoto, Texas/Midlothian). He kicked the ball through a defenders' legs and past the goal for his career-high ninth goal of the season.

Randolph-Macon (5-9-3, 2-6-3) tied the score shortly thereafter however, as Sam Bowen (Collegeville, Pa./Haverford) scored near the left post, assisted by Jack Maxey (Salem/Salem) in the 17th minute.

Josh McNamara (Springfield/West Springfield) regained the lead for the Marlins nine minutes later, when took control of a loose ball and fired it through the defense into the goal from 25 yards out in the 26th minute.

Four minutes later, junior Chris Cooke (Hampton/Phoebus) gave VWC a 3-1 lead, scoring in close off an assist by rookie Kyle Fisher (Virginia Beach/Landstown).

While VWC outshot the host Yellow Jackets 13-8 in the first half, R-MC came back to edge the Marlins in shots in the second half, 10-9.  The Jackets were also the only team to find the net in the second half, as Andrew Oakes (Fredericksburg/Courtland) scored from eight yards out, set up by Josh Estrada (Chesterfield/Richmond Christian).

Virginia Wesleyan not only finished with a 22-18 advantage in shots, but also posted a 9-3 difference in corner kicks, helped by an 8-0 difference in the first half.

Sophomore goalie Connor Kirkham (Centreville/Chantilly Westfield) finished with three saves for Virginia Wesleyan.  Chris Lowe (Rome, Ga./Darlington) recorded eight stops for R-MC.

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