Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg men's soccer team extended its undefeated run to 12 straight games with a 1-0 victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday evening at Shellenberger Field.

After a tight, defensive first half, the Hornets found their breakthrough in the 77th minute. Bruno Rihl Silva netted the match's lone goal, the first of his collegiate career. A sequence started by Felipe Rodriguez from a corner set piece found the head of William Casey, who nodded from the far-side post to the noggin of Silva in the middle, setting up the game-winning goal. The strike kept Lynchburg in control atop the ODAC standings at 10-0-2 overall and 4-0-0 in conference play, while the Marlins dropped to 7-4-1 overall and 1-3-0 in conference.

Lynchburg generated steady pressure throughout the match, outshooting the Marlins by a margin of 10-6 and forcing four saves from Va. Wesleyan goalkeeper Ben Haynes. Silva, Rodriguez, and Matthew Viscuso each tested the keeper with quality efforts, while Keaton Napior and Izaack Cruz were active in the attack, combining for four of Lynchburg's 10 shots.

Defensively, the Hornets were composed and disciplined. Backs Benjamin Velasquez, Reid Rouse, and Casey anchored a back line that limited the Marlins to just three shots on goal. However, VWU found some success on the offensive end, including a late attempt by Mason Wakefield that was pushed over top the woodwork by Hornets netminder Thomas Viscuso.

The physical match featured six yellow cards, three per side, as both teams battled hard for every ball across the pitch. Lynchburg's defensive composure proved the difference, especially in the final minutes as Va. Wesleyan pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer.

With the win, Lynchburg earned its seventh shutout of the season and third clean-sheet victory in the last four games. The Hornets will look to continue their momentum when they travel for another difficult ODAC matchup in No. 21 Hampden-Sydney on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.

Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X. Read Full Article