The 2008 Lynchburg College men's soccer team continued its winning tradition as the team reached the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament for the sixth consecutive year and ended the season with a overall winning record for the third consecutive year. Five Hornets were honored on the All-ODAC team, as the squad built upon their ten-win 2007 season with 14 wins in 2008, finishing 14-2-4 with a 7-0-3 ODAC mark. The young Hornets only fielded two seniors, as a skilled sophomore and junior class provided a majority of the team's depth. Additionally, a talented freshman class gained valuable experience as many of the first-year players received significant playing time.
The Hornets were led by first team All-ODAC and second team All-State defender/midfielder Pat Brown (Williamsburg, VA/Christchurch). The junior, who was a first-team selection last season and second team All-ODAC in 2006, was second on the team in scoring with seven goals and three assists. The stingy Hornet defense, which allowed just 14 goals all season, was anchored by sophomore Hunter Smith (Goode, VA/Jefferson Forest) who started 17 games and scored two goals and added one helper. He was honored with an ODAC first-team selection and a second-team All-State accolade. Junior midfielder Josh Reed (Newark, DE/Caravel Academy) received first-team All-State and second-team all conference honors after having an explosive offensive year, finding the back of the net 11 times and adding nine assists for 31 points, all team highs. Brown received an honorable mention in 2007. Net minder Matt Sturdivant (Bear, DE/Caravel Academy) started all 20 games in goal, recording 77 saves for a 87.5 save percentage and a 0.56 goals-against average to collect an All-ODAC honorable mention award.
The two seniors on the team - Matthew Dunnum (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) and Jared Melot (Reading, PA/Antietam) - both contributed and demonstrated senior leadership in their final season. Dunnum was the Hornets' representative on the ODAC sportsmanship team, and Melot started 17 games in midfield, recording one goal and seven assists for nine points.
A significant portion of the offensive firepower was provided by a talented sophomore class. Forward Donald Hart III (Springfield, VA/Paul VI) improved immensely from his 2007 freshman campaign. In 2008 he appeared in all 20 games with seven starts and scored seven times with two helpers for 16 points. He also had a team-high three game-winning goals. Cam Smith (Goode, VA/Jefferson Forest) started 20 games in the midfield and found the net six times and added four assists for 16 points. Michael Abbonizio (Maple Glen, PA/Hatboro-Horsham Sr) found the back of the net six times and added two assists for 14 points, and Ryan Renfro (Forest, VA/Brookville) started 13 games, scoring three goals and posting three assists. Robert Lee Green (Bumpass, VA/Louisa County) started18 games at midfield and had two assists. Additionally, Shawn Bender (Virginia Beach, VA/Bayside) was a contributor to the midfield line, scoring two goals and adding two assists.
The defense, led by Smith, saw a handful of players contribute to make it one of the best in the ODAC. Sophomores Zack Ward (Haymarket, VA/Battlefield), Matthew Rowe (Manassas, VA/Osbourn), and Tony Dulak (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) all received significant playing time despite being in the young stages of their careers. Ward and Rowe started all 20 games they saw action in. Additionally, freshmen defenders Tyler Romano (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown) and Peter Callahan (Fairfield, CT/Salisbury School) provided depth, as Romano appeared in 15 games and started two, while Callahan saw action in five games.
Other players to receive playing time include defenders Ricky Garbaccio and Derek Pinheiro; midfielders Jordan Clark, Kyle Symczak, Steven Legg, Zack Rusk, Daniel Arriola and Adam Charland; forward Shane Spanninger; and goalies Drew Nichols and Danny Town.
Expect big things from the Hornets next year as nearly all 2008 starters return, and the talented underclassmen look to continue to build team chemistry. With a strong core in tact, the team should be a true contender in the ODAC for 2009 and beyond.
