LYNCHBURG, Va. -- In a year in which the WildCats set program records galore, including the longest winning streak, longest unbeaten streak and numerous individual and team statistical records, the team fell one win shy of its ultimate goal.

Just over 90 seconds into the first overtime, Isaac Arrington broke free of the defense and was sandwiched by two defenders near the edge of the box.

Unfortunately for the WildCats, the momentum of the Virginia Wesleyan (16-4-1) forward drew his fall into the area, convincing the referee to award a penalty kick. The call drew significant discussion from the WildCats and their faithful.

When Brian Cornell converted, the Marlins celebrated their 10th ODAC title, the second most in conference history.

Even getting to overtime took a curious route, as both teams missed numerous opportunities before finally breaking through.

Seven minutes in, Jake Hood (New Market, Md./Linganore) had a great shot off of some dancing in the box by senior classmate Corey Sindle (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester), but Hood just missed wide.

Sindle later played a long ball to classmate Jacob Lusczek (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor), which got the forward in good position, but a save snuffed out an opportunity.

With about 10 minutes left in the first half, Sindle was stopped twice at point-blank range off a Lusczek feed thanks to some unbelievable defending and goalkeeping by the Marlins.

Once again, the Marlin defense was called on, and another diving save kept Joe Skaja (Yorktown, Va./Grafton) off the board right before halftime on a free kick by first-year Blake Heatherly (Jacksonville, N.C./Jacksonville).

In the second half, a header by Lusczek went just high off a cross by senior John Adams (Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass) just over 10 minutes into the frame.

There were tenuous times on the other end as well, as senior goalkeeper Carter Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley) made a one-handed save at the six minute mark.

Over an hour into the contest, the winning goal-scorer from the 2011 final, Will Wolf (Goldsboro, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons), made his mark on the defensive end as a ball got behind Smith, but was cleared off the line by the defender.

Josh Kemp also had an opportunity, but missed just high off a rebound in the 74th minute.

With all these chances, it was not a surprise that a ball finally found the net, when John Vecchietti (Annandale, Va./W.T. Woodson) corralled a loose ball and dumped it to first-year Brian Anderson (Yorktown, Va./Grafton) in the box. 

Anderson danced a bit and found Sindle, who deked three defenders to get a 22-yard shot off, which had just enough steam to roll into the net after Connor Kirkham got a hand on it.

Randolph's lead lasted all of 26 seconds, as a turnover on a throw-in allowed Arrington to get down the wing, crossing the ball into the box dangerously.

A miscommunication on the backline caused an own goal by the WildCats, leveling the game with 13:00 to go.

It was the first goal Smith had allowed since Oct. 23, a program-record span of 490:58. He made five saves tonight.

With no goals in that final baker's dozen worth of minutes, the game was decided in just 103 seconds of overtime.

"I couldn't be more proud of my guys this year," head coach Bryan Waggoner said. "Truly we're one of the best teams in the country and our record shows that. This group is one of the best groups I've ever worked with and I love them dearly."

For their efforts, seniors Wolf, Vecchietti and Nick Reemtsen (Richmond, Va./James River) were three of 11 players named to the All-Tournament team.