By Victoria Williamson and Evan Gates
Homecoming Weekend at the University of Lynchburg is one of the most anticipated times of the year, celebrating school spirit, an athletic tradition of success, and the community of alumni, students, parents, and staff coming together for the day. This year, on Saturday, Oct.18th, the key sporting matchups feature field hockey, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer.
“From a fan engagement standpoint, our Homecoming environment is a unique day for us because we have the fan tailgate up top with lots of music and food,” says Director of Athletics Jon Waters.
Tailgates begin at 11:00 a.m. and run through 5:00 p.m. when the final game commences. The environment sets the stage for a crucial weekend across the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
“This week will be a very important piece of the story of the 2025-2026 year; our teams are right in the heart of serious competition,” Waters says. “Hopefully it’s similar to a lot of our weekends from this fall in that everyone has found success.”
For athletes in Lynchburg uniforms, whether former or current, growth is a staple for every program.
“Coaches have worked really hard to build rosters and invest in students,” Waters says. “When you see students that are growing and being better as sophomores than they were as freshmen, it reinforces that you have something positive moving across the board.”
All three of Saturday’s games will be hosted on Shellenberger Field, and alumni can view the field from the tailgates in an adjacent parking lot. Each game will be live-streamed on FloSports for those who cannot attend.
Field Hockey: Keeping the Conference Momentum
For the Lynchburg Field Hockey Team, they will open the day with an 11:00 a.m. Old Dominion Athletic Conference matchup against Bridgewater College. The Hornets enter the weekend with a 9-3 overall record and are currently undefeated in conference play.
This is junior goalie Shay Schoone’s third homecoming at Lynchburg, and it is a special time for her and the team.
“I love getting to see the alumni! Getting to hang out and catch up with old teammates is always great, and you can tell that the support and excitement they have for our team is just a little different than any other crowd,” she said.
Bridgewater, currently at a 5-6 overall record, will look to challenge the nationally ranked (#17) Hornets in an important game that will help determine ODAC postseason standings.
Men’s Soccer: Protecting a Spotless Record
The Lynchburg Men’s Soccer Team will begin the second match of the day at 2:00 p.m. with a conference match against Eastern Mennonite University. Winning this match is vital for the Hornets to secure and hold a top position in the ODAC standings against EMU, who is still looking for their first conference win of the season.
Assistant Indoor Women’s Volleyball coach Thomas Chandler looks forward to the sense of community surrounding the teams during Homecoming weekend.
“I love how Homecoming is a chance for friends and family to visit campus and see what Lynchburg is all about, and it’s fun chatting with all the families and building relationships outside of our sports environment,” said Chandler.
Lynchburg currently holds a 10-0-2 record heading into this week, sitting near the top of the ODAC rankings, making this matchup an exciting opportunity for the team to secure another home victory in front of the large, lively Homecoming crowd.
Women’s Soccer: Sustaining Home-Field Dominance
To cap the festivities, the University of Lynchburg women’s soccer team hosts No. 10 Washington & Lee University at 5:00 p.m. in a match that features two of the top three teams from the ODAC preseason standings.
The Hornets enter the Homecoming week with an 8-2-2 overall record and a 3-1-1 ODAC mark. The Lynchburg backline has not conceded a goal in the team’s four matches on Shellenberger Field, while the team won its first three home games.
Lynchburg leads the all-time series with 21 victories, eight defeats, and six draws, though the Hornets have not defeated Washington & Lee since 2021. Defense remains a key factor to success for Coach Todd Olsen’s team, as Lynchburg owns eight shutouts in 12 matches this season.
Washington & Lee heads into the week in dominant form; the Generals enjoy a six-game win streak in which they have outscored opponents 28-1. Boasting an unblemished 6-0 ODAC record, Washington & Lee holds five shutouts in conference play.
The Generals face Randolph-Macon on Wednesday, Oct. 15, before traveling to Hill City to complete their two-game road stand.
On the Road
Beyond the Hill City, three additional sports teams return to action during the week of Homecoming.
The Lynchburg equestrian team competes twice, beginning in NCEA competition against Bridgewater on Friday, Oct. 17, at 2:00 p.m. Lynchburg will host the event in Rustburg, Va., while the team travels to Lexington, Va. on Sunday, Oct. 19, to face Washington & Lee in IHSA competition.
Despite placing third in the preseason poll, Lynchburg occupies the number one ranking in the nation following stellar performances to begin the season.
On the hardwood, the Lynchburg volleyball team travels to Roanoke College on Friday, Oct. 17, for a conference clash beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Entering the week, the team is receiving votes in the national rankings for the fourth consecutive poll, and the Hornets enter a four-match road stretch before returning home on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Lastly, the Lynchburg men’s and women’s cross country teams enter a split-squad weekend for the final regular-season meets of the season.
The women’s team travels to Salem, Va., to compete in the Roanoke Inter-Regional meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, while the No. 19 men’s team treks to New London, Conn., for the Connecticut College Invite on the same day.
For complete schedules and updates, visit Lynchburg Sports.
