LYNCHBURG, Va.- It was an ODAC Championship game that lived up to its billing. The Randolph men's soccer team made the short trip across town to the University of Lynchburg campus. The WildCats were looking for their first conference crown since 2011. The game was scoreless going into a second overtime period but a foul in the box gave the Hornets a penalty kick attempt in the 102nd minute and Luke Mega made it count as Lynchburg came away with the win and claimed the championship 1-0.
Randolph was making its fourth overall appearance in the ODAC title game and its first since 2015. With the win, the Hornets wins its 18th crown and secures the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
While the game was held at Lynchburg's Shellenberger Field, it felt more like a home game for Randolph as fans packed the bleachers on the visitor's side to cheer the 'Cats on. The WildCats had a 5-4 edge in total shots in the first half but could not get one on frame. Tucker Leverone (Suffolk, Va./Nansemond River) had a shot hit the crossbar in the 22nd minute. The biggest play of the half happened late in the half. With WildCat keeper Zach Aylor (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) out of position, the Hornets got a shot toward the goal but Tory Brown (Portsmouth, Va./Churchland) was there to defend it out and prevent a scoring opportunity.
Lynchburg attacked early in the second half with a pair of shots on goal but Aylor was there to stuff the threat. Evan Blow (Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville) had a look at the goal in the 82nd but saw his shot go high. Another shot attempt in the 84th minute was saved by Hornet keeper Justin Ennis. Noah Carney (Charleston, W.V./Homeschool) had the last shot attempt on goal in the 89th minute saved by Ennis and the game went into the first overtime period.
Brandon John (Clarksburg, Va./Clarksburg) had Randolph's only shot on goal saved by Ennis in the 99th minute. The contest remained scoreless and went into a second overtime. In the second overtime, John was called for handball inside of the penalty area that put Mega on for the penalty kick that he converted for the win.
Overall, shots were close as Lynchburg had a 14-13 edge. Shots on goal were a little wider as the Hornets had a 7-3 advantage.
Aylor finished with five saves for the 'Cats on the afternoon. Ennis had three for the Hornets.
Blow, John, and Wade Hall were all named to the All-Tournament Team.
Randolph ends its season with a final record of 14-3-2. The 14 overall victories are the third-most in program history.
