LYNCHBURG, Va. – The University of Lynchburg field hockey team overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Shenandoah, 3-2, in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals on Thursday evening at Shellenberger Field, securing its 10th consecutive appearance in the ODAC Championship game.
The top-seeded Hornets (14-5, 8-0 ODAC) rallied behind second-half goals from Allie Freeman and Grace Peterson to eliminate fourth-seeded Shenandoah (13-5, 5-3 ODAC). The victory sets up a championship showdown against No. 2 seed Washington and Lee on Saturday in Lynchburg.
The semifinal matchup featured two familiar postseason opponents, as Lynchburg and Shenandoah had met in each of the previous three ODAC Championship games. However, Thursday's meeting saw the conference rivals battle for a spot in the title game rather than the championship itself.
Lynchburg wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, generating a pair of penalty corners and several early opportunities. Abigail Junker opened the scoring in the first quarter, finishing a feed from Sofia Boon to give the Hornets a 1-0 advantage.
Shenandoah responded later in the opening frame when Camryn DeLeva converted a penalty stroke to even the contest at one apiece.
The visitors carried that momentum into the second quarter, taking their first lead of the evening when Rylin McCloskey found the back of the cage off an assist from Ava Fields. Lynchburg continued to search for an equalizer, but Shenandoah maintained its 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
The Hornets emerged from the break with renewed offensive pressure, quickly turning the momentum in their favor.
Freeman delivered the equalizer early in the third quarter, connecting on a penalty corner opportunity off an assist from Taylor Secrist to bring Lynchburg level at 2-2.
Lynchburg continued to threaten throughout the period, generating six shots and three penalty corners. Peterson ultimately delivered the decisive blow, finishing a feed from Junker to put the Hornets ahead 3-2.
With a championship berth on the line, Shenandoah mounted a relentless offensive push in the final quarter, outshooting Lynchburg 9-0 and earning six penalty corners.
However, the Hornets' defensive unit held firm under pressure. Goalkeeper Shay Schoones registered three saves in the final frame, while Grace Ver Planck and Avery Watkins each recorded a defensive save to help preserve the one-goal advantage.
Lynchburg finished with 12 shots, placing eight on goal, while Shenandoah recorded 17 attempts and nine penalty corners. Schoones concluded the evening with four saves, while Watkins registered two defensive saves and Ver Planck added another.
Junker led Lynchburg offensively with a goal and an assist, while Freeman and Peterson each found the back of the cage. Boon and Secrist also contributed assists in the victory.
The win sends Lynchburg to its 10th consecutive ODAC Championship game, continuing a decade-long stretch of postseason success for the program. The Hornets will look to capture their 24th conference title and third championship in four seasons, having previously claimed the crown in 2023 and 2025.
The upcoming championship also marks head coach Jenni Releford's third appearance in the title game in as many seasons at the helm of the program.
Saturday's contest will renew another familiar championship rivalry, as Lynchburg and Washington and Lee previously squared off in three consecutive ODAC title games in the spring of 2021, fall of 2021 and 2022.
The top-seeded Hornets will host the second-seeded Generals on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Shellenberger Field with the ODAC Championship on the line.
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