Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Averett University women's soccer team suffered a 7-0 loss in its season opener against Roanoke College in the first game of the Lynchburg College Shellenberger Classic on Friday night.
 
Roanoke (1-0-0), selected fourth in the ODAC preseason poll, began the game with a quick start when forward Marlana Barnard scored a goal off a break away less than two minutes into the game.
 
As Averett (0-1-0) struggled to maintain possession of the ball throughout the first half, the Maroons capitalized off Cougar turnovers, and Barnard scored two more goals in the 31st and 33rd minutes of the period. Despite Averett's defensive efforts and freshman Ashley Jones's seven first-half saves, Maroons midfielder Meagan Ryan added another goal late in the period for Roanoke to end the half ahead 4-0.
 
The young Cougars, who were picked to finish fifth in the USA South Conference preseason coaches poll, were unable to keep up with the more experienced Maroons on both ends of the field after halftime. Roanoke outshot Averett 37-1 and scored three goals in the second half, with two coming in the last 10 minutes of play.  
 
Jones finished with nine saves for the Cougars.
 
Averett suits up again on Saturday to take on nationally ranked Lynchburg at 7 p.m. on the final day of the Shellenberger Classic.