For immediate release - 10/9/2010 - #070
LC men's soccer defeats Bridgewater on senior day

LYNCHBURG, VA - With a large crowd returning for Homecoming, Lynchburg College men's soccer team defeated Bridgewater College 3-1 on Saturday in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play on Shellenberger Field.

After honoring the seniors prior to the game for senior day, Lynchburg took the early lead at 31:33 of the first-half from senior Michael Abbonizio (Maple Glen, PA/Hatboro-Horsham). Abbonizio collected the loose ball and netted it past the Bridgewater goaltender Travis Morris to take the 1-0 lead.

Junior Shane Spanninger (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) then put Lynchburg up 2-0 on a great individual play. Bridgewater's goalie Morris collected the ball and tried to clear it out, but Spanninger charged the goal and deflected Morris's kick into the net for his first goal of the season.

Bridgewater answered back with 9:57 left in the first half when Shane O'Donnell took a throw in from Adam Riner to put the Eagles within one.

It would remain a one-goal game until 14:35 of the second half when senior Donald Hart III (Springfield, VA/Paul VI) took a skillful pass from Spanninger at the top of the box and hit the top corner of the net.

Senior Danny Town (Williamsburg, VA/Jamestown) got the starting nod in net for the Hornets until he gave way for Michael Releford (Blacksburg, VA/Blacksburg) who came into the game at 35:31 of the first half and made two saves.

During halftime of the game, there was a special dedication of the Dr. Jack M. Toms '69 Track of Champions.

Lynchburg (9-3-1, 6-0) will be back in action on Tuesday when they will travel to Washington & Lee to battle the Generals.

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