University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Va. -- In less than a one-minute span with under than seven minutes to go in regulation, the University of Lynchburg men's soccer team scored twice to rally past Washington and Lee in the ODAC Semifinals, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Shellenberger Field.

Although the No. 17 Generals (12-3-3) moved ahead on an own goal at the 68:26 mark after a cross from a corner ricocheted off a Hornet defender, No. 11 Lynchburg (14-1-4) continued to chase the match over the closing stages. Jefferson Lopez Coreas delivered the equalizer in the 84th minute. Cristobal Massanet assisted the goal with a long ball to the center of the box that found the head of Lopez Coreas as he scored his 11th of the season to bring the Hornets level at 1-1.

Just seconds later, Evan Pask netted the eventual game winner that gave Lynchburg a 2-1 advantage. Bruno Rihl Silva sent a long and low through ball to the top of the goalkeeper's box that was corralled by Noah Coughlin, who made the extra pass to Pask. The Kernersville, N.C. native dribbled past the WLU netminder's legs and finished strong to put the Hornets in front with 5:20 to go. Kapitanov preserved the lead with two saves during the final two minutes. He finished with five stops while playing all 90 minutes and improved his record to 6-0-2.

Lynchburg produced the first shot on goal in the 17th minute when Izaack Cruz forced a save. The Hornets added another attempt on target from Pask later in the opening period, while goalkeeper Kapitanov made two saves at the other end.

The match remained scoreless at halftime despite Lynchburg holding a 6-2 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. The Hornets increased their pressure during the second half. Matthew Viscuso placed an attempt on target in the 48th minute, and Pask, William Casey and Carlos Andres Romero each forced saves during the following 27 minutes.

Lynchburg concluded the match with an 18-6 advantage in total shots and a 9-5 edge in shots on goal. The Hornets also earned eight corner kicks compared with four for Washington and Lee. Jefferson Lopez Coreas led Lynchburg with five shots, while Pask recorded four attempts and placed three on target. Viscuso added three shots.

The Hornets advance to the ODAC Championship for the fourth straight year and are set to square off against Shenandoah on Shellenberger Field this Saturday, November 7 at a to-be-determined time.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-date 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 Sports a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X. Read Full Article