R-MC Scores OT Victory Over VWC

Seal Scores with Six-Seconds to Play to Send Yellow Jackets to Finals

ASHLAND, Va. --- Lauren Seal scored off a set play on a penalty corner, using assists from Mikalea Rumley and Melanie Graham, with six seconds remaining in overtime to hand Randolph-Macon a 4-3 extra-time victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday in the ODAC Tournament semifinals.  R-MC will travel to Lynchburg on Saturday to face the Hornets for the ODAC title for the second straight year.

The Yellow Jackets improved to 10-7 overall on the season and have now topped the Marlins six consecutive times, dating back to 2006.  VWC finished the year with a record of 8-9.

Virginia Wesleyan struck first, taking a 1-0 lead when Taylor Lober scored off a penalty corner from Courntey Pollard and Amelia Goebel in the 26th minute.  R-MC responded, tying the game four minutes later when Mikalea Rumley found Rachael Gardner off a rebound inside the box.  The two teams battled for the final five minutes of play, but the game entered intermission tied at one.

Nine minutes into the second half, Rumley found the back of the cage off a feed from  Graham to give the Yellow Jackets the one goal lead.  R-MC held the advantage until the 61st minute, when a penalty stroke was awarded to Virginia Wesleyan.  Lauren Gold converted on the stroke to even the score. 

Three minutes later, Rumley returned the favor and found Graham on a penalty corner to regain the lead for Randolph-Macon.  The Marlins earned a penalty corner just before time expired and with zeros showing on the clock, VWC forced overtime with a goal on a scram for the ball inside the box.

Both teams fought hard in the extra period, just missing on several opportunities.  With just six seconds remaining, Rumley injected a penalty corner to  Graham who found  Seal to push R-MC to the ODAC Championship match.

Rumley led the Yellow Jackets with three assists and one score, while Graham finished with two assists and a goal.  Seal scored her ninth goal of the season and now leads the team with 28 points on the year.

Nicole Woodworth picked up her 10th victory and recorded seven saves to give her a conference-best 160 on the season.  Kirsten Olson took the loss in goal for the Marlins, blocking nine shots in the contest.

R-MC returns to the ODAC Title Game for a rematch from the 2010 conference championship with Lynchburg on Saturday.  The game will be played at Lynchburg for the second straight year.

This release is courtesy of the Randolph-Macon College sports information department.