BOXSCORE
Radford, Va. – The Longwood University field hockey team suffered a heartbreaking overtime-loss to nearby Radford University 4-3 this afternoon at Dedman Center Field. The Lancers fall to 4-9, while the Highlanders improve to 4-8 and snap a five-game losing streak.
Radford appeared on the board first on a goal from Erin Hebert off a cross from Maria Petran early in the game. Longwood would even the score at one, when freshman forward Jen Hawkins (Virginia Beach, Va./Cox) redirected a pass from junior forward Lorrie Watts (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) on a penalty corner in the 16th minute. The Lancer continued to put pressure on the Highlanders, and 10 minutes later freshman midfielder Katie Lernihan (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) put them ahead, 2-1. On a penalty corner, she took a push from senior midfielder Erin Sixsmith (Alexandria, Va./West Potomic) and shot it low to the left of Radford’s keeper.
Petran scored her first goal when put her own rebound into the cage with just five seconds to go in the half, knotting the score at two. She would give RU the lead at 3-2 when she poked home a rebound with 19:43 left in the match.
Longwood found an answer with 6:33 to go. After their penalty corner was broken up, sophomore defender Shannon Ratte (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) dribbled to the top of the circle and rifled a shot through traffic past Tina Caiazza.
In the overtime, Petran was able to find a loose ball in front of the goal and bang it home for the winning tally.
The Highlanders outshot the Lancers, 18-12 and a 16-8 advantage in corners. Junior keeper Julie Patterson (Esmont, Va./Monticello) made nine saves for Longwood, while Radford tallied five.
The Lancers wrap-up their weekend competition tomorrow, facing St. Francis at 3:30 p.m. at the University of Virginia.
longwoodlancers.com
