Marlin Defense Impresses in 1-0 Loss to No. 12 Lynchburg

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan College women's soccer team posted an impressive effort on Wednesday night, especially on the defensive end and in the midfield, despite falling 1-0 to No. 12 Lynchburg College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play.

Virginia Wesleyan gained some momentum early in the first half when Emily Maxwell took two shots in a 10 second span at the 11:50 mark from point blank range. Megan Gerhart managed saves on both attempts as the Marlins kept the contest scoreless.

"At that point all you can really do is just close down the shot and do your best to get your body in front of it," Gerhart said. "The first one I kind of rebounded it right back to her and she followed it up and shot it right back into me thankfully."

VWC had several chances in the first half, matching the Hornets shot for shot thanks in large part to the strong midfield play of first-years Alex Cortright and Brooke Adamchak. Miranda Rupp had a couple chances but the Hornet defense slid into place to block both shots.

The Marlins managed to get the ball into the box on several set pieces, including one from Cortright that sailed just to the right of the goal. Kaitlyn Clunan, Adamchak, and Ann Marie Moffett all challenged Lynchburg goalkeeper Tess Frelick in the first half, but the senior stopped all three looks.

It took until the 81st minute for the first score when Jade Woll raised up the right side, sending a cross into the mouth of the goal where Hannah Olds finished it off.

Lynchburg held a narrow 13-8 margin in shots as the Marlins turned away all seven of the Hornets' corner kick attempts.

Gerhart finished with seven saves as Frelick stopped four balls for Lynchburg (16-2-1/9-0-1 ODAC).

Virginia Wesleyan (9-9/7-3) hosts Bridgewater College (9-6-1/6-3-1) for Senior Day Saturday at 7 p.m.

ODAC TOURNAMENT UPDATE 

The top eight teams make the ODAC tournament. Quarterfinal games will be played on the site of the higher seed. The highest seed remaining will then host the semfinals and finals. Lynchburg has clinched at least a share of the top seed in the tournament, but would hold it outright if Shenandoah loses to Guilford.

Virginia Wesleyan and Bridgewater will maintain for No. 4 and No. 5 spots with the winner of Saturday's contest host the quarterfinal next week.

Below are the current standings with games left in conference play only listed to the right.

1. Lynchburg (9-0-1 - 28 pts.) - 1 left (at Emory & Henry)
2. Washington and Lee (9-2 - 27 pts.) - ODAC PLAY FINISHED
3. Shenandoah (8-1-1 - 25 pts.) - 1 left (vs. Guilford)
4. Virginia Wesleyan (7-3 - 21 pts.) - 1 left (vs. Bridgewater)
5. Bridgewater (6-3-1 - 19 pts.) - 1 left (at Virginia Wesleyan)
6. Roanoke (5-5 - 15 pts.) - 1 left (vs. Hollins)
t7. Randolph-Macon (4-6 - 12 pts.) - 1 left (vs. Randolph)
t7. Guilford (4-6 - 12 pts.) 1 left (at Shenandoah)
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9. Randolph (3-6 - 9 pts.) 2 left (at Randolph-Macon, vs. Eastern Mennonite)