ANNVILLE, Pa. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College men's soccer team clinched a spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Tournament, as the program defeated King's College 3-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Herbert Field. Nathan Prex led LVC with two goals, while Ollie Lynch also found the net during the win. 

The Dutchmen (9-2-6, 3-0-3 MAC Freedom) recorded the first shot of the game, as Prex sent an attempt to the right of the net 2:12 into the first half. Lebanon Valley then opened the scoring at the 6:42 mark, taking a 1-0 lead over the Monarchs (2-11-5, 0-4-2 MAC Freedom). Prex got the program on the board when he took a shot from near the center of the penalty box and sent the ball into the lower-left side of the net for a goal. LVC continued to tally shots as the first stanza progressed, as Simon Grimes had an attempt go to the right of the net at the 11:57 mark before sending a try above the net at the 13:01 mark. Will Burton also sent a shot above the net at the 18:27 mark.

King's responded with a shot 21:14 into the contest, which went to the right of the net. The Flying Dutchmen countered with a shot on target by Prex, which was saved at the 22:36 mark. The programs proceeded to compete defensively for over nine minutes, until Ethan Groff logged a shot for LVC that went to the right of the net at the 32:09 mark. Later in the stanza, Lynch put a shot on goal that was saved 38:43 into the game. The Monarchs then took the last shot of the first half, sending the ball to the left of the net at the 43:11 mark. Lebanon Valley took its one-goal advantage into halftime. 

The Dutchmen resumed the scoring 5:01 into the second half, taking a 2-0 lead. Burton started the play by delivering a corner kick into the goal box, leading to Prex sending a header shot into the lower-right corner of the net for his second goal of the afternoon. This was followed by Burton taking a shot on goal for LVC, which was saved at the 53:58 mark. The Monarchs then attempted a shot 56:08 into the contest, but this try was blocked by Lebanon Valley's defense. The Flying Dutchmen also kept sending the ball toward the net as the second stanza went on, as Prex had a shot saved and Groff had a shot blocked within 18 seconds in the 58th minute. Burton generated another offensive opportunity as well, sending the ball above the net at the 58:51 mark. 

Lebanon Valley remained productive on the defensive end as the second half rolled on, blocking a shot attempt by King's at the 59:55 mark. The Monarchs then put a shot on target 61:41 into the game, which resulted in a save for the Dutchmen by goalkeeper Ryan Simonette. This was followed by a scoring chance for LVC, as Prex put a shot on goal that was saved at the 64:29 mark. King's countered with a shot at the 65:21 mark, which went above the net. Aidan Smith later registered an attempt on target for the Flying Dutchmen, which was saved at the 73:25 mark.

Lebanon Valley tacked on a point 78:42 into the contest, extending its advantage to 3-0. The program added its third goal of the day when Andrew Myers sent a cross from the right side of the penalty box to near the center of the penalty box, which led to Lynch kicking the ball into the lower-center portion of the net for a goal. The Dutchmen then tallied a couple more shots, as Lynch had an attempt blocked and Gavin Rapp sent a try to the left of the net within eight seconds in the 82nd minute. The squad proceeded to go back and forth defensively until the Monarchs sent a shot to the left of the net with four seconds left. Ultimately, LVC went on to secure the 3-0 victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Lebanon Valley clinched its third consecutive postseason appearance. The Dutchmen have earned a spot in the MAC Freedom Tournament during each of their three seasons in the conference.  
• Prex scored two goals, including the game-winner, for his fourth multi-goal game of the season. The senior leads the MAC Freedom with 18 goals and 41 points. Prex also scored his fifth game-winning goal of the year, tying a single-season program record. This record was originally set by Tyler Skye, who tallied five game-winners in 2016. Additionally, Prex logged game-highs with six shots and five shots on goal. 
• Lynch netted his second goal of the year. The sophomore took three shots with three attempts on target.
• Burton dished out the assist on Prex's second goal. The junior registered three shots with an attempt on goal.
• Myers recorded his first point for LVC with an assist on Lynch's goal.
• Simonette made one save. 
• Lebanon Valley outshot King's 18-7 and had a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal. 
• Smith also put a shot on target. 
• LVC had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. 

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will close out the regular season on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., when the program will travel to take on Misericordia University at Mangelsdorf Field in Dallas, Pa. 

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