LYNCHBURG, Va. --- The top-seeded Lynchburg College field hockey team won its fourth-consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) title Saturday, knocking off the Eastern Mennonite University Lady Royals 1-0 in play from Shellenberger Field. With the win, LC gains the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament which starts this week.

The Hornets (17-4), who are ranked No. 10 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll, defeated EMU (10-8) for the fourth straight year to win the title. The championship was the Hornet's 13th league crown in school history.

Lynchburg scored the game's only goal 10:45 into the contest thanks to some great passing. Sophomore Jordan Warrington  deflected a long ball out wide near midfield for Jenny Weir. Weir dribbled near the side line before sending a long pass across the field to Erin Funkhouser, who one-timed the pass into the far side of the cage for the game-winner.

The story of the contest for the second time this year was the Lynchburg defense, which held a potent Eastern Mennonite roster scoreless over 140 minutes of play this season. LC outshot the Lady Royals 26-7, while attempting 16 penalty corners to EMU's five. EMU netminder Becky Nolt made 12 saves, and Sarah Cates of LC shined stopping three shots for her fifth shutout of the season.

Lynchburg's Funkhouser, Signey Milks, Shelly Milks and Jenny Weir were all named to the 2009 All-ODAC Tournament Team. They were joined by Alyssa Derstine, Karissa Sauder and Sarah Roth of EMU, Nicole Woodworth and Meredith Young of Randolph-Macon College, and Christina Benedetti and Stephanie Mansey of Washington and Lee. 

The Hornets will now wait and see as to where and when they will play this week in the NCAA Tournament.


2009 Field Hockey All-Tournament Team

Eastern Mennonite
Alyssa Derstine
Sarah Roth
Karissa Sauder

Lynchburg
Erin Funkhouser
Signey Milks
Shelly Milks
Jenny Weir

Randolph-Macon
Nicole Woodworth
Meredith Young

Washington and Lee
Christina Benedetti
Steph Mansey

This release is courtesy of the Lynchburg Sports Information department.