Mann's Goal Earns Marlins their Ninth ODAC Crown

SALEM, Va. --- Robbie Mann scored the game's lone goal in the 56th minutes to propel Virginia Wesleyan College past Roanoke College, 1-0, in the ODAC Men's Soccer Tournament championship game.  The victory secured the ninth league crown for the Marlins and sends them into the NCAA Division III Tournament as the ODAC's automatic qualifier.

Mann's effort marked his second and most important goal of the season.  His bending shot past RC keep Adam Thompson also earne Mann the ODAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player honor amongst the 11 members of the all-tournament team (below).

Neither team could gain a discernable advantage through the first 45 minutes.  Both squads fired five shots at their opponent's goals with seven heading towards the frame.  Thompson stopped the four VWC efforts bound for goal while Jay Coble kept the Marlins' net empty with three saves.  The deciding goal withstanding, Virginia Wesleyan seemed more on-target in the second period, forcing Thompson into three more saves.  Coble did not record any second stanza stops.

Virginia Wesleyan (11-6-2) moves on to the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament and will await word of its opponent.  That game will be played on November 13 at a time and site yet to be determined.