LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph men's soccer team didn't have to go far for their Wednesday night game as they faced Lynchburg in a rematch of last year's ODAC Championship game. Randolph took an early lead in the first half but the Hornets scored three times in the second period on the way to a 3-1 win.
The WildCats drop to 5-5-2 overall and 2-4-1 in the ODAC. Lynchburg improves to 8-0-5 overall and 5-0-1 in the conference.
Randolph dominated the first half as it led in total shots 11-3. The WildCats had a good look at a goal in the 18th minute but Ashton Poythress' (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) shot was cleared out by the Hornet defense. The 'Cats finally got on the scoreboard in the 44th minute. A shot by Tory Brown (Portsmouth, Va./Churchland) would be blocked in the scrum, Ethan Meyer (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) tapped a shot in that put the WildCats ahead 1-0.
Randolph's lead did not last long in the second half. A corner kick by the Hornets just over a minute into the frame saw Lynchburg's Zach Whelan head the shot in to tie the game at 1-1. Eight seconds later, the Hornets scored again to suddenly lead 2-1.
The score stood until the 62nd minute when a Whelan shot would be blocked but Benjamin Velasquez would tap in the rebound to give the home team a 3-1 lead. The WildCats had a couple of shot attempts go off frame as the Hornets defense kept them in check.
Overall, Randolph led in total shots 15-11. Lynchburg led in shots on frame 7-4. The Hornets led in corner kicks 18-9.
Zach Aylor (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) finished with four saves in goal for Randolph. Lynchburg keeper Justin Ennis had two saves.
The WildCats are idle until next Tuesday when they travel to Washington and Lee. Game time from Lexington is set for 7:00 p.m.
