LYNCHBURG, Va. – After earning its first ODAC Tournament Semifinals berth since 2013, Randolph-Macon field hockey was unable to defeat Lynchburg, as the Hornets beat the Yellow Jackets, 2-0.
The Basics
Score: Lynchburg 2, Randolph-Macon 0
Venue: Shellenberger Field at the University of Lynchburg
Records: Randolph-Macon (12-7, 5-3 ODAC), Lynchburg (15-4, 7-1 ODAC)
How it Happened
- Lynchburg opened the first quarter in the offensive zone, registering three penalty corners within the first three minutes. After Valentina Ambrogi-Torres (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) made her first stop, the Hornets increased the pressure, taking five shots on four penalty corners. Ambrogi-Torres made saves on each of the two shots on goal, keeping the game scoreless with five minutes left in the opening frame. RMC's defense was tested but held firm in the closing minutes of the quarter. The Yellow Jackets successfully defended five more shots that came as a result of two penalty corners, keeping the score 0-0 heading into the second.
- The Lemon and Black showed resilience in the second, not allowing a shot for the first six minutes of play. Then, the Hornets fired four shots, including two on goal but Ambrogi-Torres continued her incredible play. After the two programs exchanged a handful of fouls, Llana Thach (Henrico, Va./Glen Allen) posted the first shot for Randolph-Macon, as it veered wide. Despite getting an opportunity in the offensive zone, Lynchburg took a 1-0 lead with 20 seconds left in the half, as Hannah Christenbury was able to score for the Hornets.
- The third quarter saw Lynchburg generate two penalty corner opportunities in the opening two minutes, in which the Hornets put a shot on goal. Once RMC's junior goalkeeper made her 11th stop of the afternoon, Lynchburg only recorded one shot over the next six minutes of the quarter. Then, in the final five minutes of the third, RMC successfully defended against four shots and two penalty corners, as Ambrogi-Torres made back-to-back stops in the closing minute to keep the score 1-0.
- Randolph-Macon continued to string together stops to open the final frame, withstanding a shot and penalty corner in the first 30 seconds. While the Yellow Jackets couldn't quite get a shot off, they were able to hold the Hornets without a shot until there were less than 10 minutes remaining. Then, Lynchburg's Christenbury scored her second of the afternoon with five minutes left in the game, extending her squad's lead to 2-0. A minute later, Kylee Gorham (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland), rifled a shot wide, giving RMC its second shot of the afternoon. Although Randolph-Macon fought down the stretch, Lynchburg's 2-0 victory closed out a record-setting season from the Yellow Jackets.
Inside the Numbers
- Although Randolph-Macon was unable to earn a penalty corner opportunity, they were able to hold Lynchburg to just a total of three in the second and fourth quarters.
- Lynchburg generated 27 shots during the contest, whereas Randolph-Macon was able to record two.
- After tallying a shot, Gorham finished the season on a seven-game shot streak, including eight in her final three games.
- Ambrogi-Torres finished the game with 15 saves, her third time reaching the mark this season. The reigning NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week stopped eight shots in the first quarter and 14 through the first three frames.
For the Record
- Randolph-Macon's nine shutouts this year, including the postseason, were the most in a single season in the history of the program.
- Randolph-Macon's 12-win total marks the highest number of wins in a single season since the 2010 Yellow Jackets team.
- The Lemon and Black went 7-2 at home in the regular season. The 2025 Yellow Jackets joined the 2023 Yellow Jackets team as the only RMC field hockey programs to record seven home wins in a single regular season since 2010.
- The Yellow Jackets' defense only allowed three-or-more goals scored two games this season. In their last four games, the Lemon and Black only allowed two total goals.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will be back in action next fall to begin its 2026 fall campaign.
