Lynchburg, Va. -- Teams do not typically play their season opener on short rest. However, considering University of Lynchburg men's soccer wrapped up their previous season roughly four months ago, their matchup with Covenant felt like a quick turnaround. 

The Hornets picked up right where they left off in April and earned a 4-1 victory over the Covenant Scots. 

The first half was relatively uneventful early on besides three shots on goal from the Hornets. With time expiring in the first half, Joey Daly put the Hornets on the board after he dribbled through two defenders and ripped a shot from just outside the box. Lynchburg's inaugural goal was Daly's fifth of his career and first since 2019.

Five minutes into the second half, Kenny Robles dashed across the top of the box and scored with his left foot, extending Lynchburg's lead to 2-0. 

Robles' goal opened the floodgates for the Hornets. Brennan Lagana headed in a goal off a long, crossing assist from Luke Mega 3:16 after Robles' tally. Lagana netted another goal 3:11 later thanks to a perfectly placed pass from Manzi Shalita. Lagana took Shalita's pass and dribbled around Covenant's diving goaltender before scoring his second goal of the contest, and Lynchburg's fourth. Lagana scored two goals in a game for the second time in his career. He previously had two goals in Lynchburg's 5-1 victory in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship over Guilford. 

On the other side of the field, Kyle Gallagher saved all three shots that came his way while spending 69:33 in net. The Hornets conceded a goal with 20 minutes remaining, but were able to hold on otherwise and secure a 4-1 victory. Lynchburg has now won six-consecutive season openers.

Lynchburg is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 5 against Greensboro at Christopher Newport University. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.

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--LYN--