Lynchburg, Va. – The University of Lynchburg women's soccer team fought to a 0-0 draw against Old Dominion Athletic Conference foe Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday evening, despite the teams tallying 14 combined shots and 11 combined corners.
While the Marlins earned an 8-6 shot advantage, Kate Shepherd made five saves in 90 minutes to post her fifth clean sheet of the year. Virginia Wesleyan keeper Allie Greco made three saves and manned the pipes for the entire match.
Both teams split possession in the midfield throughout the first half, though Lynchburg boasted several opportunities to move in front. In the seventh minute, Makayla Hargrove collected a set-piece cross from midfield and fired a low shot, though Greco dove to the turf to make the save.
In goal, Shepherd's strongest save of the contest arrived in the 38th minute when Virginia Wesleyan's Alaina Alston aimed for the top shelf with a high-velocity shot. Shepherd leaped to make the one-handed save and force a corner.
The Hornets made just three substitutions throughout the first 45 minutes and utilized the same backline for the entire half. Virginia Wesleyan offered the final three shots of the half, though the scoreline remained 0-0.
Virginia Wesleyan's physicality increased in the opening minutes of the second half, committing four fouls in a matter of minutes; the Hornets, however, failed to score on set pieces.
Morgan Oliver lofted a shot from beyond the 18-yard box in the 47th minute, though Greco dove to make the mid-flight save. Later in the half, Rylee Wampler created another opportunity with a stifling through ball between Marlin defenders, but Hargrove failed to convert the shot following an additional pass inside the box.
Following the scoreless draw, both teams have submitted at least seven clean sheets this season. The Hornets boast an 8-1-2 record entering the weekend, with their lone loss of the season coming against nonconference foe Emory.
The Hornets and Marlins entered Wednesday's match ranked second and fourth, respectively, in the ODAC standings. Each team captured eight wins in its first 11 matches to begin the season.
Wednesday evening's game marked the first of five at Shellenberger Field in the month of October. In the meantime, the Hornets travel to Ashland, Va. on Saturday, Oct. 11 to face Randolph-Macon at 4:00 p.m. in a conference affair.
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