Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg men's soccer senior Carter Averette scored both goals in Lynchburg's shutout of Oglethorpe Sunday afternoon.
The Hornets kicked off their home schedule at the same time as the National Football League kicked off its first Sunday slate of action. The Hornets came into their first match on Shellenberger Field with two shutout victories in their first three matches. Lynchburg only shutout four opponents in 2022.
The Hornets possessed the ball in their attacking third for the opening ten minutes, but neither team put up a shot until Manzi Shalita's attempt in the 12th. His shot was blocked which set up Lynchburg's first corner kick of the day. Shalita served up the corner, but the Stormy Petrels deferred the initial chance. Benjamin Velasquez took the ensuing throw in with a long toss just a few steps off the corner flag. Zach Whelan rose up and headed the ball from the near post, and Averette headed it back off the post for the first goal of the day. Whelan and Velasquez registered assists on the play.
Oglethorpe countered off the kickoff, but Thomas Viscuso made the save. The sophomore made one more save in the second half on his way to his third clean sheet of the season. He was kept clean by a solid back line featuring Velasquez, Seth Dale, and Josh Auger.
Velasquez earned a second assist in the 51st minute when he served up a free kick from the center of the field. This time, Auger got his head on it and redirected the ball to Averette again, who finished it for his second goal of the day.
Averette enjoyed the first multigoal game in his career. He also matched his single-season high for goals. He scored three goals in his freshman season back in 2019.
Lynchburg escaped relatively unscathed as the match was delayed for over five minutes as the referees dealt six cards. Two Stormy Petrels were ejected for entering the playing field from the bench after a hard foul in the flow of play. Lynchburg only received one yellow card to Oglethorpe's two yellows and two reds.
Lynchburg (3-1) hosts Greensboro on Friday, September 15 at 4 p.m. next.
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