Newport News, Va. --- Kennedy Jakubek (Leesburg, Va.) took the pass from Caitlin Mertens (Succasunna, N.J.) in the 96th minute and scored the golden goal.
Jakubek's goal, which came after a number of Lynchburg opportunities late in the match, broke a scoreless tie to push Lynchburg College's women's soccer team past McDaniel, 1-0 in overtime, and into the NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament second round Saturday night at Christopher Newport's Captains Field.
The Hornets will face the host Captains, which routed Cabrini 6-0 in the early match Saturday. CNU (19-0-1) is riding a 17-match win streak and hasn't allowed a goal since Oct. 21. Sunday's second-round match will begin at 7 p.m.
Lynchburg's defense looked just as strong Saturday; the Hornets stymied an early second-half barrage from McDaniel, thanks in large part to five saves from keeper Delia LoSapio (Raleigh, N.C.).
But the Green Terror's defense held just as steadfast. Despite out-shooting its foe, 28-13, Lynchburg couldn't break through. McDaniel goalkeeper Sarah McDonald made 10 saves, several of them spectacular, and Lynchburg struggled to finish on a few one-on-one opportunities. Just minutes before the golden goal, Jakubek found herself alone with the keeper and the goal, but her shot dribbled wide right.
But then came the ticket. McDaniel played the ball downfield, and Lynchburg's counter attack left Mertens with some space. She threaded the defense, finding Jakubek in the box, and the junior scored it on one touch to send Lynchburg into the second round for the sixth-straight season.
Jakubek's golden goal was Lynchburg's first in the NCAA tournament since 2007, when Karey Richardson scored in the 103rd minute of an NCAA third-round match to give the Hornets a 2-1 win over Emory and sending the LC program into its second-ever Elite 8.
The 2017 iteration of the Hornets improve to 4-0 in overtime and 19-3 overall on the season.
--- This release is courtesy of the Lynchburg College sports information department. ---
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