LYNCHBURG, Va. - Lynchburg College claimed the 2012 ODAC women's soccer championship Sunday afternoon at Shellenberger Field with a 2-0 victory over the Bridgewater College Eagles.

The Hornets struck early, taking the lead in the fifth minute of action. Kristen Melchiori took a pass from Angela Bosco and her shot from 20 yards out deflected off Bridgewater goalie Lindsey McDole's hands as she dove to make the save, putting the Hornets on the board.

Lynchburg kept pressure on the Eagles, but the Bridgewater defense was up to the task for the remainder of the half. McDole made two big saves to keep it a one goal game. McDole made a sliding stop on a Melchiori shot in the 14th minute and later turned away a header by Dessi Dupuy.

The Eagles just missed on a chance to tie the score late in the first half. BC's Melanie Waters won a one-on-one battle for possession of the ball in the corner and then dribbled toward goal. Waters rifled a shot on goal but Lynchburg goalie Audrey Moore was able to get her arm on the ball and deflected it off line to preserve the 1-0 Lynchburg lead.

"I thought we responded pretty well after Lynchburg's early goal," Bridgewater head coach Mike Van Horn said. "We just had a tough time keeping pressure on the ball and when we had opportunities, Lynchburg's goalie made a couple quality saves."

Lynchburg's Angela Bosco and Bridgewater's Lindsay Suyes traded shots on goal early in the second half before the Hornets added an insurance tally.

Lynchburg's Dupuy dribbled through the box and slid a pass to Dana Nelson. Nelson then put a shot into the upper near corner from 10 yards out to put the Hornets on top, 2-0.

The Eagles tried to respond with a goal of their own, but shots by Suyes and Waters were turned away by Moore to keep the score 2-0.

The Hornets held a 25-6 edge in shots and a 5-0 advantage on corner kicks. Lynchburg put 11 shots on goal while the Eagles placed four shots on frame.

Three Bridgewater players - senior Jessica Sites, Waters and sophomore Elizabeth Stump - were named to the ODAC all-tournament team.

The championship game marked the final contest for seniors Sites, Abby Dehoff, Brittney Harris, Krissy Snyder, Morgan Keplinger and Jacey Kelley. This year's team finished with a 12-7-2 record and the senior group was a part of 47 wins during their four years.

"These seniors are certainly leaving the program in much better shape than they found it," Van Horn praised. "They joined a program that was struggling to make the ODAC tournament and as seniors they played for a championship. To play in the championship game is huge for our program and this senior class is a big reason for our success."