Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's soccer team toppled Randolph-Macon with a second-half strike from Leilianis Irigoyen to win 1-0 in Tuesday's Old Dominion Athletic Conference quarterfinal match Tuesday night.
Students swarmed the track for the Halloween showdown, opening the ODAC championship which features three fall sports teams competing on Shellenberger Field.
The Hornets outshot RMC 20-9 and directed 10 shots on frame. Yellow Jackets keeper Zoe Long made nine crucial saves throughout the game, blanking Lynchburg in the first half despite 13 shots faced.
In the first half, Lynchburg encountered early opportunities, including a header from Haleigh Casey and open shots from Meghan Lauder and Lauren Orner. The Hornets earned three of their five corner kicks in the opening half.
The Hornets controlled possession from the opening whistle, though the team needed 60 minutes before breaking through for a goal.
Coming out of the break, both sides exchanged shots before the deciding goal from Irigoyen. Breaking free from her defender in and one-on-one battle, she turned the corner, and inserted her shot into the net.
Irigoyen scored her first-collegiate goal in the season finale against Ferrum on Saturday. Now, the junior midfielder has propelled Lynchburg into the semifinals.
Lynchburg's defense contained RMC's attacking play in the final 30 minutes. After Lynchburg's opening goal, the Yellow Jackets only mustered up one shot to Lynchburg's five.
Lynchburg cruised into final time collecting its second-straight shutout after playing an undefeated ODAC campaign. The Hornets now boast a streak of 13-straight games without a loss.
The Hornets (12-3-3) host Washington and Lee in the ODAC semifinals on Friday, Nov. 3 at 3:30 p.m. In conference play, the two squads tied 1-1 in Lexington, Va.
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