VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The University of Lynchburg lifted its ODAC record 17th women's soccer trophy following an instant classic of a title clash with Virginia Wesleyan University at the Marlins' Trinder Center on Sunday afternoon. The two squads played to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes of regulation and two extra-time periods before a save by Lynchburg keeper Jade Lecklider on VWU's seventh-round penalty kick clinched the Hornets first crown since 2018.
Sunday's contest marked the sixth time an ODAC women's soccer championship was awarded via penalty kicks including three of the past four league title matches. Five additional conference championship games were decided in extra-time.
In addition to another trophy for its showcases, Lynchburg earns the ODAC's automatic entry into the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. The selection show for the 64-team field is set for Monday, November 7, at 2:00 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
RELATED: All-Time ODAC Women's Soccer Championships
Neither team found the net in the opening 45 minutes and ODAC soccer fans waited 20 additional minutes into the second frame before Lynchburg lit up the Trinder Center scoreboard. Madelyn Boyce sent a ball towards that near-post that Megan Dee collected inside the six-yard box. She sent a pass towards Mac Joly at the penalty spot. VWU keeper Rachel Quigley was equal to Joly's shot, but Dee pounced on the rebound and toed the ball into the onion bag with 65:34 on the clock.
Virginia Wesleyan knotted the score in the 79th minute. On a set piece on the left wing, Alexis Miller sent a cross deep to the back post. Olivia Bryant used all 67-inches of her height to elevate and whipped a header into the net with 78:40 on the scoreboard.
Both teams had one or two decent chances in the remainder of regulation and both extra periods, but none challenged either keeper.
In the ensuing shootout, VWU's Quigley saved Lynchburg's first attempt, while Miller gave the Marlins the advantage after the first round. Lynchburg's Abbie Little and VWU's Kaitlyn Yeager both scored in round two and McKenna Dahm added another conversion for the Hornets in round three. Lecklider saved the Marlins third shot to level the shootout at 2-2 through three rounds. Quigley made her second save on LYN's fourth kick, but the Marlins fourth attempt careened off the crossbar. Ida Swisher and Molly Gobble traded makes for the two squads in round five, setting up one-for-one attempts the rest of the way.
Leilianis Irigoyen converted for Lynchburg to start round six, while Kalyn Byrd did the same for VWU. Claire Lloyd found the net in what proved to be the winning kick for Lynchburg, while Lecklider made it stand up with a save on the Marlins final attempt.
ODAC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
- Bryanna Marinari, Shenandoah
- Elizabeth McGee, Shenandoah
- Brenna Wehner, Washington and Lee
- Grace Wielechowski, Washington and Lee
- Sam Crawford, Virginia Wesleyan
- Alexis Miller, Virginia Wesleyan
- Rachel Quigley, Virginia Wesleyan
- Haleigh Casey, Lynchburg
- Jade Lecklider, Lynchburg
- Emily Santana, Lynchburg (MOP)
- Sophie Walsh, Lynchburg