LYNCHBURG, Va. – Senior
Emma Mansfield headed in what turned into the game-winning goal in the 103rd minute, as the Washington and Lee women's soccer team toppled Lynchburg, 3-2, on the road in double overtime on Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a scoreless first overtime period, the Hornets (12-4-3) and Generals (13-2-4) continued battle into the final 10 minutes of play. In the 103rd minute, sophomore
Bryn Bissinger found herself with plenty of space heading towards the box on the right side. She surveyed her options and sent a cross towards the back post, where Mansfield was there for the header.
The Generals held a one-goal lead for much of the second half, despite the Hornets putting great pressure on the W&L goal. With time starting to wind down in regulation, Lynchburg's Meghan Lauder scored her second goal of the game to tie things up with 1:17 remaining.
Lauder's first goal was also the game's opening tally, as she gave Lynchburg an initial 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. Sophomore
Sarah Zimmerman then provided the Blue and White some momentum heading into the half when she scored on a header on the right post from a cross by Bissinger. W&L moved out in front, 2-1, in the 57th minute thanks to
Sophie Berman, who received a throw-in inside the box, turned and found room inside the right post for the score.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Bissinger finished the day with two assists, her sixth and seventh helpers of the season. Bissinger's pair of assists vaulted her from a tie for eighth in the ODAC to the top of the conference leaderboard. Zimmerman's goal was her seventh of the season, which tied Berman for the team lead at the time, before Berman retook the team lead with her eighth score of the year. Mansfield's winner was her fifth goal of the season.
Smith covered all 110 minutes in goal for the Blue and White, stopping seven shots.
Lauder led the Hornets' offense with her two goals, which came on two shots. Alix Allen and Zoe Villarreal each logged one assist and two shot attempts, while Victoria Newman and Morgan Oliver led the squad with three shots. Jade Lecklider also played all 110 minutes in goal, and she made four saves.
NOTEWORTHY POINTS:
The Generals advance to their first ODAC championship game since appearing in the spring 2021 title contest in a 10-0-1 season.
With Friday's result, W&L remains undefeated in their last three trips to Lynchburg, with their last loss at Shellenberger Field coming on October 31, 2018.
TEAM STATS:
Despite the win, the Generals were outshot by a final total of 21-10. However, the Blue and White limited the home side to just two shots in the two overtime periods, while taking three themselves. Corner kicks favored W&L by a slight 5-4 edge.
UP NEXT:
The Generals will travel to play top-seeded Virginia Wesleyan in the ODAC Championship game on Sunday. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
