Roanoke, VA – The No. 21 ranked Hornets of Lynchburg proved to be too strong for the upstart Oberlin College men's soccer team as they defeated the Yeomen 4-0 to cap the weekend at the Roanoke Invitational.
 
The Yeomen held their own throughout the opening 45-minute frame as the Hornets were clinging to just a 1-0 lead at the intermission courtesy of a tap-in by Jack Ashby in the 11^th minute.
 
Oberlin had ample opportunities to find the equalizer but unfortunately came up empty. In the 21^st minute, Jiadi Cheng had his attempt denied by Hornets' keeper Dylan McLaurin. In the 35^th minute, first-year Ben Kessler nearly opened up his collegiate scoring account as he sent a piercing strike off the crossbar. In the closing minutes of the half, the rookie from Short Hills, New Jersey, sailed another shot wide of target.
 
Yeomen netminder Fiachra McDonagh was pestered throughout the first half but did his part to keep Oberlin within striking distance with five saves in the session.
 
Unfortunately, the Hornets would break the match open in the second half with a pair of goals within a 24-second span. Early in the 60^th minute, Clay Van Gieson deposited a cross from Abibi Osman and just moments later it was Osman who setup Ben Mackey to make it 3-0. Cody Civilla would complete the scoring with the help of a Sherman Mitchell assist in the 86^th minute.
 
The Yeomen never really threatened in the second half, mustering just three shots – all of which were wide of frame. Freshman Alex Caceres triggered two attempts, while Trenton Bulucea had one.
 
McDonagh finished with a career-high 12 saves in the setback.
 
The Yeomen open the home slate against Otterbein University on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.