Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchuburg's men's soccer team couldn't overcome its first-half mistakes, falling to rival Roanoke, 4-1, in Friday evening's season opener on Shellenberger Field.

The match will not count in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference standings.

Lynchburg (0-1) fell behind in the 10th minute, when RC's Atticus Cooke stepped in front of a pass, beat a defender, and scored low from the left side of the box. The Maroons (1-0) capitalized on that momentum with three more goals before halftime to take a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Hornets got on the board in the 86th minute when freshman Luke Mega was fouled in the box, earning Lynchburg a penalty kick that junior Ben Mackey converted.

The loss was Lynchburg's worst since a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Christopher Newport, Sept. 24, 2014. It was the Hornets' first loss to Roanoke since the 2015 season.

The Hornets will head to Salem next weekend but not for another bout with the Maroons; Lynchburg will take on Maryville (Tenn.) Saturday, Sept. 7 in the 5 p.m. game of the Roanoke Invitational.

--LYN--