Bridgewater, Va. – Leigha Gronau and Makayla Hargrove netted first-half goals to lift the University of Lynchburg women's soccer team to a 2-1 road win over Bridgewater on the final Saturday of the regular season.
The Hornets owned a 21-10 shot advantage and directed eight attempts on target. Julia Salo made three saves in the winning effort, while she, Lily Kuykendall and Ava Olson played the full 90 minutes.
Lynchburg's attack opened its operation early as Gronau slotted home her eighth goal of the season in the fourth minute. Makayla Hargrove found Ally Hopkins with a quick pass in the midfield, and Hopkins connected with a through ball to set up Gronau's chance to score.
Four of Ally Hopkins' six assists throughout the regular season resulted from Gronau's goals. The freshmen combined to post 29 combined points throughout the first 17 matches of their Lynchburg career.
In the following minutes, Salo made a pair of clutch saves between the pipes. When Bridgewater crowded the box for a corner in the eighth minute, Salo swatted the scoring chance with assistance from her defenders.
The Hornets added to their lead in the 33rd minute when Makayla Hargrove notched her team-leading ninth goal of the season. Following a shot deflection, Hargrove possessed the ball in the box, turned and ripped a shot past the Bridgewater keeper.
Hargrove has earned a goal or an assist in four consecutive matches for the Hornets.
Carrying a 2-0 lead out of the halftime break, Lynchburg continued to find the attacking third and collected eight corner kicks in the second half. 11 of Lynchburg's 21 shots arrived in the final 45 minutes.
Bridgewater's Lily Hewatt cut into the deficit in the 67th minute to create a 2-1 scoreline. Heading into the final 20 minutes, the Lynchburg back line limited Bridgewater's time of possession to protect the lead through the final whistle.
The Hornets improved to 14-2-1 with four consecutive wins. Lynchburg's six-match unbeaten streak dates back to Saturday, Oct. 3 when the team fell 2-1 to Washington and Lee. In addition, the Hornets' win solidified a top-four position in the ODAC regular-season standings.
Lynchburg will conclude its regular season with a trip to Virginia Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to face Batten (12-0-4).
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