Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's soccer team fell short Friday evening in an overtime 3-2 defeat to Washington and Lee in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference semifinal.

Over the 90 minutes of regular time, each squad scored twice, forcing the game into two overtime periods that saw the Generals stamp the game-winning goal on the scoreboard.

Lynchburg fired 21 shots with 10 on-frame including three opportunities off the woodwork in the first half. The Hornets held W&L to just 10 shots, though the Generals entered the match averaging 26 per game. 

The Hornets found the net on their third shot to invigorate the crowd at Shellenberger Field early in the contest.

Zoe Villarreal zipped a shot towards the top corner that Generals goalkeeper Sydney Smith deflected off the crossbar. Cycling into the box, junior forward Meghan Lauder scored with a gentle tap as Smith tried to regain position.

While the Hornets held the advantage on the scoreboard, Washington and Lee continued to maintain possession for large portions of the first half. The Generals tallied four corners despite offering just three shots in the opening half.

On the final corner opportunity of the half, W&L's Sarah Zimmerman gained separation from Haleigh Casey and lofted a header past Jade Lecklider in the 45th minute. Only 37 ticks separated Lynchburg from its sixth consecutive half of shutout soccer.

One minute into the second half, Generals forward Sophie Berman forced Lecklider to make an early save on a shot outside the 18-yard box. 

In the 56th minute, Berman cashed her second opportunity of the game to propel W&L into the lead. The sophomore striker gathered the ball in the box after a long throw-in, turned and snuck a low-rolling shot past Lynchburg's defenders.

The Generals resorted to defending the remaining half-hour while still directing four shots. Lynchburg fired five of its eight shots on-target in the second half.

Tip-toeing into desperation time, the Hornets continued rotating the ball hoping to propel the attack. In the 89th minute, Lynchburg manifested a magical final chance.

Alix Allen moved down the touchline before sending a cross intended for Lauder. The ball weaved through a pair of Generals defenders, and Lauder capitalized to tie the game with 1:17 remaining. Lauder's scores marked her seventh and eighth goals of the season.

With regular time concluded, overtime consisted of two 10-minute periods to decide a winner before penalty kicks. Lynchburg took two shots in overtime, both of which failed to find the frame.

In the second overtime period, W&L's Bryn Bissinger connected on a cross to Emma Mansfield in the 103rd minute to recapture the lead for the Generals. Despite high-pressing offense, Lynchburg failed to convert a final scoring opportunity as the clock ran to zero.

Friday's contest marked Lynchburg's first loss in 47 days. The Hornets finished 12-4-3 and have earned double-digit wins for the 27th-consecutive season (excluding the shortened season for COVID-19 in 2020).

Head coach Dr. Todd Olsen caps the season with 494 career wins at Lynchburg. 2023 marks his 29th winning campaign in 30 seasons.

The Hornets await their postseason destiny when the NCAA announces the 64-team field on Monday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

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--LYN--