Lynchburg, Va. – In a closely contested match, the University of Lynchburg women’s soccer team faced a tough 1-0 defeat against Shenandoah. The game was decided by a defensive error in the final minute, leading to a last-minute goal.
Shenandoah had the upper hand with 11 shots to Lynchburg’s 10 and held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 5-3. Despite this, both teams created several chances throughout the match. Goalkeeper Kate Shepherd made four key saves to keep Lynchburg in the game, with six players playing the full 90 minutes.
During the first half, Lynchburg put three of their six shots on target. Lauren Orner tested the Shenandoah keeper, Morgan Musselman, early in the 12th minute. A follow-up corner from Makayla Hargrove required another diving stop from Musselman.
The match mirrored its physicality in the second half with both teams struggling to create clear chances. It wasn’t until the 60th minute that Lynchburg made their first shot attempt of the half, and the Hornets only managed two more shots on goal from there. Both teams only shared one corner kick each during this period.
As the clock wound down, a tie appeared to be on the horizon. However, a fateful moment in the 90th minute changed everything. Shenandoah’s Kirklyn Wilson made a pass into the box that Lynchburg failed to clear effectively. This allowed McKenna Newcome to drive a shot home, securing Shenandoah’s victory just seconds before the final whistle.
With this loss, Lynchburg’s record stands at 8-3-2. Notably, this match marked the first goal conceded at Shellenberger Field this season.
Next, Lynchburg will face Washington & Lee on Saturday, October 18, at 5:00 p.m. This match is part of the Homecoming Weekend celebrations and will be their first weekend home game since September 6.
For more on Lynchburg athletics, visit LynchburgSports.com for the latest updates and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.
