Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg men's soccer team is set for its season debut tomorrow, taking part in the 2025 Maryville Invitational in Maryville, Tenn. against Maryville College on Friday, August 29 at 8 p.m.

The Hornets found much success last season, culminating in an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and a first round victory. Lynchburg looks to build upon that, returning its entire starting defensive unit that includes reigning ODAC Defensive Player of the Year Benjamin Velasquez, ODAC Rookie of the Year William Casey, and First Team All-ODAC netminder Thomas Viscuso. 

Since 1988, the Hornets and Scots have met on the pitch nine times, with Maryville owning a slight 5-4 edge in the series. Though the two sides have met nine times in total, they've squared off just twice in the last 14 years (2019 & 2021). In each of those two contests, Lynchburg has claimed victories. Most recently, the Hornets earned a 3-1 win over the Scots at home on Sept. 28, 2021.

Lynchburg has not conceded a season-opening contest in the last six years. In 2024, the Hornets began their campaign with a scoreless draw against Franklin and Marshall. Keeping opponents from scoring was a strength for Lynchburg last season that is set up to continue this year. Last year, the Hornets tallied 12 clean sheets, tied for the second-most in a season in program history.

The Scots finished the 2024 season with a 7-9-3 overall record. Earlier this week, Maryville was selected third in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) preseason poll, voted on by the conference's coaches. After beginning the season 2-0-1, then losing seven of eight in the middle of the season, the Scots enjoyed a late-season surge that included three straight wins before falling in the conference semifinals to Covenant. They return a pair of conference standouts in forward Brady Hammer (2024 CCS Rookie of the Year) and goalkeeper Christian Alcaraz, who notched 72 saves last year.

Following tomorrow's outing, the Hornets will have a day of rest before taking on Berry College at Maryville's campus on Sunday, August 31 at 12 p.m.
 
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