The 22nd-ranked Emory University Women's Soccer team went toe-to-toe with 17th-ranked University of Lynchburg Sunday afternoon but fell by a 2-0 margin in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships.
The Eagles see their season end at 14-5-1, the most wins in a single season since 2013, while the Hornets improve to 20-2-2 and advance to face Messiah College in the Round of 16 next weekend.
Lynchburg controlled possession in the opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Eagles 10-2 and was finally able to capitalize in the 37th minute. Caitlin Mertens found Alyssa Rudy with a through ball inside the box allowing Rudy to finish to the lower left corner for her third goal of the season.
Emory did not go quietly, coming out the gate strong in the second half, flipping the script and applying heavy offensive pressure for the majority of the period. The Eagles had nine shots over the final 45 minutes, including five on target, but were stymied by the Lynchburg defense.
Junior Caroline Kolski recorded the Eagles' first scoring opportunity with a turnaround shot from the top of the 18 in the 46th minute but was Lynchburg's Delia LoSapio was there for the stop. In the 53rd minute, senior Danielle Darius sent a bullet through traffic after a corner kick but LoSapio made the stomach save.
The Hornets sealed the game in the 87th as Emily Sanchez had a takeaway deep in the zone and finished to top left corner for her second goal on the year.
For the game, Lynchburg outshot Emory 16-11 and 8-5 in attempts on goal. Junior Shivani Beall led the Eagles with five shots, two on target and Kolski added three shots, two on goal. Senior Dani Staffin again was outstanding in goal for the Eagles, making eight saves on the afternoon while LoSapio stopped all five shots that came her way.