Lynchburg, Va. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Lynchburg field hockey team cruised to a 4-0 win over Eastern Mennonite Friday evening to stay perfect in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.

Jackie Lerro scored twice for the Hornets, and Madison Mark and Brittany Claybaugh each added a goal in the victory. Mark's goal was the first of the freshman's collegiate career.

The Hornets unleashed a barrage of shots early in the game but could not break through the Royals defense. Lynchburg finally solved the riddle early in the second, when Mark grabbed a clearance pass in the 21st minute and took the ball into the circle unchecked, firing into the cage.

EMU's defense totaled 19 saves (three of them defensive saves) in the first half to avoid any further damage.

The Hornets had better luck shooting in the second half. Claybaugh took a Lerro feed in the 39th minute to double the Lynchburg lead, and then Lerro scored twice herself -- once in the 40th minute, unassisted, and again on an Emily Dudley helper in the 48th minute -- to widen the margin.

Lynchburg's defense played admirably yet again, picking up its fourth shutout of the season and the second in as many games.

The Hornets (8-3, 3-0 ODAC) will have a tougher test next time out, traveling to Lexington on Wednesday for a date with undefeated and No. 16-ranked Washington and Lee in a rematch of the 2020-21 ODAC championship game.

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--LYN--