Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg senior Jackie Lerro does not falter in big moments as the Royersford, Pa. native stepped up and scored the game-winning goal Friday night in Lynchburg field hockey's 5-4 overtime ODAC semifinal victory over Shenandoah University in what was a rematch of the 2019 ODAC championship. The Hornets will play host to Washington and Lee University for the ODAC championship on Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m.

With the game tied at 4-4 in overtime, Lynchburg senior Taylor Green brought the ball downfield to the Hornets' offensive zone. She passed it up to Lerro, but before she could get a shot off, the whistle blew for a Lynchburg penalty stroke opportunity. With the ball placed at the spot -- seven yards from the Shenandoah cage -- Lerro lined it up and found the upper right hand corner for the goal, sending the Lynchburg bench into a frenzy. 

Lynchburg (8-0) and Shenandoah (7-4) played to a scoreless first period, but in the second, Lynchburg broke through on a goal from junior Brittany Claybaugh off an assist from Lerro to put the Hornets up 1-0. Less than two minutes later, Shenandoah's Kelsey Jones found the back of the Lynchburg cage and knotted the game at 1-1. At the 25 minute mark, Claybaugh scored her second of the game to put Lynchburg back in front and send the game into intermission with Lynchburg ahead, 2-1.

Out of the half, in the 35th minute, Shenandoah's Kelsey Jones tied the game again with a penalty stroke goal. Shenandoah tacked on two more to end the third period and take a 4-2 advantage into the final period. 

In the 48th minute, Lynchburg's Emma Strouse took a penalty corner and dished it out to senior Emily Dudley, who rifled it past the Shenandoah keeper to cut the Lynchburg deficit to only one. Seven minutes later, Kessa Romero centered one for Dudley who promptly scored and tied the game at 4-4. The Lynchburg defense held Shenandoah off the board for the remainder of the period to send the game into overtime and set up Lerro's game-winner. 

Lynchburg's offense outshot Shenadoah 28-13 in the contest as five Hornets had five or more shots on the evening. The Hornets' goalkeeper, Laurel Nicks, made five saves in nine opportunities and earned her eighth win of the season. 

The Hornets advance to the ODAC championship for the fourth season in a row and look to win their 21st, the most of any member schools. 

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--LYN--