Box Score
LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Roanoke fell to Lynchburg, 3-0 in ODAC action Saturday evening at Shellenberger Field. The Maroons dropped to 7-3, 2-1 in the ODAC, while the Hornets improved to 5-2-1, 2-0 in conference play.
The Maroons, winless against Lynchburg in their last four meetings, are now 34-17-1 all-time against their ODAC-rival. It is the first back-to-back wins against Roanoke since 1986-87.
Lynchburg outshot Roanoke, 17-14, including 7-3 in shots on goal. The Maroons did hold a slim 4-3 margin in corner kicks and outshot the Hornets, 10-8 in the second half.
The Hornets got the scoring underway in the 23rd minute as Zach Ward scored off an assist from Mathew Rowe to take a 1-0 lead.
Just over two minutes into the second half, Michael Abbonizio scored off a cross from Shawn Bender to give Lynchburg the two-goal advantage.
In the 63rd minute, Abbonizio found an open Hunter Smith for his second goal of the season. It was a team-best third assist of the year for Abbonizio.
Abbonizio finished with a goal and an assist to lift his season points total to seven. Five different Hornets had two shots on the night.
Cameron Travalini (Millville, DE, Indian River) led Roanoke with three shots, followed by Michael Stark (Newport News, VA, Menchville) and Jason Ryan (Radford, VA, Radford) with two shots apiece. All three registered a shot on goal.
Ryan Russell (Danville, VA, GW Danville) (4-2) took the loss in goal for the Maroons, collecting four saves on the night. Michael Releford earned the win for the Hornets, as he finished with three saves.
The men will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 29 as they will host Averett in non-conference action. The Maroons are 9-5-1 against the Cougars and will square off against their in-state foe for the first time since 1999. The match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.
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