Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg women's soccer senior Megan Dee ended a 250-minute scoring drought with a goal in the second half as the Hornets bested Roanoke Wednesday evening. 

Alyssa Damato also scored during Lynchburg's 2-0 victory.

After two-straight 0-0 draws at the 2022 Roanoke Classic Invitational, the Hornets hosted the Maroons for a non-conference match and their home opener on Shellenberger Field. Lynchburg had not scored since the second half against Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, Sept. 3. 

In the first half, the Hornets outshot their opponent as they have in every match up to this point. However, Roanoke's keeper Taylor Gallik made four first-half saves, and the two teams went into halftime scoreless. 

Out of the break, both teams saw chances, but Lynchburg's opportunities proved to be more fruitful. After Ida Swisher and Mac Joly both sent shots wide left, Dee put Lynchburg on the board. Her scoring opportunity started as Emily Santana dribbled through the Maroon defense and centered a pass to Dee. The senior took a touch to split two defenders, centered towards the net, and buried a high, arching shot into the upper-90 on the right side of the frame. Dee celebrated independently for a moment until her teammates swarmed her to honor the team's first lead in three matches. 

Nearly 21 minutes later, Ella Tampio-Iorns settled a ball off her head to the feet of Damato, and the senior from Warrenton, Va. beat the keeper one-on-one for an insurance tally. Tampio-Iorns earned her third-career assist, and Damato recorded career-goal No. 14. 

While the Lynchburg offense proved it could still score, the defense remained as strong as it had been all season. Junior Jade Lecklider made four saves and submitted her fourth-straight clean sheet. She is one of fifteen goalkeepers in Division III to only allow one goal so far in the 2022 campaign. Lecklider and the defense have not allowed a goal in 436 minutes dating back to the first half of a 1-1 draw with Rowan on Friday, Sept. 2. 

The Hornets (2-0-3) will meet Emory University halfway in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, Sept. 18 for their next match. The two teams square off at Charlotte Latin School with a 2 p.m. kickoff. 

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--LYN--