LYNCHBURG, Va. --Â The Lynchburg Hornets are ODAC champions! Lynchburg defeated Shenandoah, 5-1, on Shellenberger Field to capture its second conference title in three years.
Anna Dorrestijn led the way offensively, recording her fourth hat trick of the season. The junior forward wasted no time, scoring in the opening 45 seconds to give Lynchburg the early lead. However, less than two minutes later, Shenandoah's Ellie Quinn slotted the equalizer.
Dorrestijn took over in the second quarter. Midway through the frame, she blasted home a missile off a feed from Allie Freeman on a penalty corner to put the Hornets back in front. Then, in the final seconds before halftime, Dorrestijn and Maddie Schuchter broke downfield on a counterattack. Schuchter played a ball ahead, and Dorrestijn knocked it past the Shenandoah keeper just as the clock hit zero, giving Lynchburg a 3-1 advantage at the break.
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Lynchburg's defense — anchored by Olivia Muir, Megan Stiffler, Avery Watkins, and Mallory Lamb — continued to dictate play in the second half, limiting the Hornets' opponent to just seven shots. Danielle Coon extended the lead in the third quarter, slipping a shot between the goalkeeper's pads.
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Aurora Balsamo put the finishing touches on the victory, scoring off another Freeman feed on a penalty corner. Lynchburg dominated the penalty corner battle, 13-6, and outshot Shenandoah, 19-7.
Shay Schoones stood tall in goal, stopping five of the six shots she faced.
With the win, Lynchburg punches its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets will learn their first-round opponent during the NCAA selection show on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m.
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