Box Score Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg men's soccer team scored thrice in the first 17 minutes of game time and paved the way to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship with a 5-0 victory over Hampden-Sydney on Wednesday night at Shellenberger Field.

From the first whistle, the No. 24 Hornets played with purpose and fury. Just under three minutes into the contest, freshman William Casey booted a ball from the Lynchburg defensive half all the way to graduate Manzi Shalita inside the box, who spectacularly handled the pass and delivered a strike past the keeper. 3:15 later, sophomore Chris Wiley rushed into the passing lane of the Hampden-Sydney defense, made a move past a defender, and - while sliding to the ground - banged it off the woodwork and in the back of the net.

At the 16:53-mark, fifth year Kenny Robles took a set piece about 15 yards from the top of the box. Robles floated it to the head of fellow fifth year Zach Whelan on the back pipe, who nodded it across the goal frame and placed it perfectly on the foot of junior Keaton Napior for the team's third goal of the match. Lynchburg fended off Hampden-Sydney for the remainder of the first half, allowing just two Tiger shots in the first 45 minutes, and the squads went into the halftime intermission with a 3-0 Hornet advantage. 

In the 62nd minute, senior Pat Figaro was taken down inside of the box and awarded a penalty kick, which he rocketed into the top right corner with pinpoint accuracy. For the final goal of the evening, junior Benjamin Velasquez found the ball at his feet following a set piece and sent it into the box. Casey tracked it down and bumped it across the box to sophomore Noah Mathew, who slotted it past the keeper and closed out scoring in the affair.

The Hornets put on an astonishing performance on both sides of the ball, scoring the most goals in a single game since Sept. 16, 2023 in a 6-0 win over Hood. Through two games in the ODAC postseason, Lynchburg has yet to allow a goal and has held both of its opponents to a combined nine shots.

The ODAC Championship awaits the men's soccer squad as the Hornets are set to host No. 21 Washington and Lee for the conference title on Saturday, November 9. The time of the match will be announced at a later date. Tickets will be available for purchase on the men's soccer schedule page on lynchburgsports.com

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