Salem, Va. – Sammie Rogstad netted the game-winning set piece goal in the 83rd minute to propel the University of Lynchburg women's soccer team past Hope 2-1 in a comeback effort at the Roanoke Invitational.
In a back and forth affair, the Hornets outshot the Flying Dutch 8-7, while both teams tallied four corner kicks. Despite conceding the opening goal in the 56th minute, Lynchburg rebounded with two goals in 13 minutes to overcome the deficit.
Throughout the first half, Hope held a 5-1 advantage in the shot column and forced Hornets keeper Julia Salo to post a pair of saves. In the seventh minute, Hope's Avery Plummer directed a shot on target from two yards outside the goal line, although Salo swiftly denied the opportunity.
Lynchburg returned the threat in the 25th minute as Sammie Rogstad's cross scraped the near post, but both teams entered the second half scoreless.
Hope found the scoreboard in the 56th minute as Bri Long's free kick evaded the Lynchburg defenders and popped the net. The free kick marked Hope's only shot of the second half before the 90th minute.
While both teams continued to trade possession, Lynchburg's Leigha Gronau made a run in the 71st minute to advance into the attacking third. Following a deflection by the keeper, Gronau's ball fell to Teigan Casey, who notched the Hornets' first goal of the season.
13 minutes later, the Hornets struck again. After the team earned a free kick at midfield, Lynchburg's Rogstad lofted the ball directly into the box. With a large bounce off the turf, the ball looped over the Hope keeper and climbed into the net.
The goal represented Rogstad's second as a Hornet, as the junior scored for the first time since Oct. 5, 2024 in the team's match against Roanoke.
The Hornets successfully defended throughout the final 10 minutes to clinch their first victory of the 2026-27 campaign. Lynchburg's comeback win contrasts with the team's 10 victories in 2025, when the Hornets scored first in every triumph.
Lynchburg will complete their time at the Roanoke Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 5 as the Hornets face Maryville (Tenn.) at 5:30 p.m.
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