Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg women's soccer is one win away from reclaiming its spot atop the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, a position the Hornets are quite familiar with. 

All it took was a 16th-minute goal from sophomore Claire Lloyd and the 16th shutout of the season by the Hornets to defeat Shenandoah in the conference semifinals Friday afternoon. The victory sets up a rematch of the 2021 ODAC championship: Lynchburg vs Virginia Wesleyan. 

Shenandoah began the match with high intensity trying to catch Lynchburg on its heels. The visitors took the first two shots of the match and earned the match's first corner in the fourth minute. 

Lynchburg settled in and countered shortly after. Mac Joly and Lloyd both tested Shenandoah's keeper with shots on target. 

In the 16th minute, it was Lynchburg's second corner that made the difference. Maddy Myers lined up the set piece from the far corner and sent a high, arcing ball into the box. Lloyd connected with it on the other end, burying the header back towards the direction it came and into the net. 

The all-region defender tallied her first score of the season and third of her career, while Myers picked up assist-No. 2 on the year. 

Once more, Shenandoah picked up the intensity after the goal and earned three more corners, but were unable to square up a shot and test Lynchburg's keeper Jade Lecklider. 

In the second half, Lecklider had to battle the sun in her eyes as it set over the Hill City. She made two saves in the final half to preserve the 16th shutout of the year for Lynchburg. Coming into the match, Lecklider owned the 16th-best save percentage in the country (.889) and the 11th-lowest goals-against average (.377).

Lacey Garner subbed into the match for the final four minutes and came up with a pair of big plays. She headed away a dangerous ball in the box off a Shenandoah free kick and cleared another ball out of harm's way as time expired. 

Lynchburg (11-3-6) came into the postseason as the fourth seed and will take on Va. Wesleyan on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. in Virginia Beach. The Hornets seek their 17th ODAC trophy and first since 2018. A win would also give Lynchburg its 21st and second-consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. 

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--LYN--