BOX SCORE

Farmville, Va. -- The Longwood University field hockey team lost a heartbreaking home opener today, falling 4-3 to Division III opponent Virginia Wesleyan in double-overtime.  With the loss, the Lancers remain winless at 0-3, while the Marlins improve to 2-0. 

Virginia Wesleyan came out strong in the first half, with Laura Weidema putting the Marlins on the board six minutes into the match with help from Cara Byrd.  Marlin Megan May made the score 2-0 on a shot into the back of the box off of a cross from Alexis Byrd.  Longwood’s Julie Price (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) scored at the 29:28 mark off an assist from Sarah Hitchings (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) making the score 2-1 going into the break. 

In the second half, Virginia Wesleyan’s Chrissy Clancy scored at the 51:14 mark, giving a 3-1 advantage to the Marlins.  Longwood would come back and score two straight goals, Alexis Ramey (Westminster, Calf./Marina) at the 41:14 mark and Shannon Ratte (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) with less than three minutes left to send it to overtime.
 
Neither team could score in the first overtime, however Virginia Wesleyan’s Jackie Griffin converted a cross from Gayla Dalrymple-Smith in the second extra period to give the Marlins the victory.

The Lancers outshot the Marlins 16-11 and also held the advantage on penalty corners, 18-4.  Longwood keeper Julie Patterson (Esmont, Va./Monticello) registered four saves to Virginia Wesleyan keeper Margie Baker’s three. 

Up next, Longwood travels to Division I Virginia Wednesday to take on the Cavaliers at 7 pm on University Hall Field.
 -LANCERS-