ANNVILLE, Pa. – Will Burton dished out a game-high and career-high three assists, playing an integral role in the Lebanon Valley College men's soccer team's season-opening 3-1 victory over Alvernia University on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Herbert Field.
Gavin Rapp,
Dom Beddia, and
Nathan Kimball each scored a goal for LVC during the win.
The Golden Wolves (0-1-0) took the first shot of the game 3:30 into the first half, but goalkeeper
Isaac Yerger delivered a save for the Dutchmen (1-0-0). Alvernia then opened the scoring 4:50 into the contest, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Josh Ertel. Lebanon Valley then attempted three shots before finding the net at the 13:12 mark, tying it at 1-1. The scoring chance began when Burton took a shot that deflected off the right post and went to Rapp, who was just in front of the net and sent the ball into the lower-right portion of the net.
LVC kept working to generate offensive opportunities as the opening stanza went on, registering five shots during the next 11:19. The program was also productive on the defensive end during this stretch, keeping the opposition from taking a shot. The Dutchmen then put another point on the board at the 32:03 mark, taking a 2-1 advantage. Burton sent a free kick from the right side of the field to just behind the left side of the goal box, leading to a header shot by Beddia that went into the lower-left side of the net. Lebanon Valley proceeded to outshoot the Golden Wolves 2-1 during the remaining minutes of the first.
Brayden Burkhardt put a shot on target that was saved during this stretch. The Flying Dutchmen then took their one-goal lead into halftime.
The Dutchmen scored again just 1:13 into the second half, claiming a 3-1 advantage. Burton delivered a corner kick that went just behind the center of the goal box, allowing Kimball to take a header shot that was deflected by Alvernia's goalie before going into the left corner of the net. LVC proceeded to create scoring chances as the game went on, including a shot on goal by Rapp that was saved at the 53:32 mark. The Golden Wolves later countered with a pair of shots on target, and goalkeeper
Ryan Simonette answered with back-to-back saves for Lebanon Valley at the 60:40 and 61:00 marks.
Simonette also came through with key stops for the Flying Dutchmen at the 74:20, 85:13, and 86:41 marks. LVC also kept sending the ball toward the net during the rest of the game, logging five shots with a shot on goal by
Owen Hunt during the final 8:31 of the second half. Ultimately, Lebanon Valley maintained its 3-1 lead through the end of play and secured its first win of 2026.
Inside the Box Score
- Burton recorded a game-high and career-high three points with a game-high and career-high three assists. The senior also took a game-high and career-high five shots.
- Beddia's first goal of the season marked his first career game-winner.
- Rapp found the net for the first time this year, while tying a game-high two shots on goal.
- Kimball tallied his first goal of the campaign.
- Simonette posted a game-high five saves.
- Yerger made his first career save during his collegiate debut, which was also his first career start.
- Lebanon Valley outshot Alvernia 21-10.
- The Flying Dutchmen had a 10-9 advantage in corner kicks.
Up Next
Lebanon Valley will return to action on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., against Lancaster Bible College at Donald H. Funk Field at Willis & Martha Herr Stadium in Lancaster.
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