October 17, 2006

BOX SCORE

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-- The Longwood University field hockey team fell to tenth ranked Virginia by a count of 3-0 Tuesday evening in Charlottesville.  The Lancers fall to 4-10 overall, while the Cavaliers move to 11-4.  Longwood will return to action on Thursday, October 19, as they take on its third consecutive ranked opponent in California who is 12th this week.  The Lancers and Bears will face-off in a 5 p.m. NorPac contest.
    
All three of the Cavalier goals came in the first half, as UVA took a 3-0 halftime lead.  Virginia’s first goal of the night was on a diving attempt by a Cavalier forward who beat keeper Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford) to the ball for the 1-0 lead.  Virginia padded its lead on a well played penalty corner mid-way through the first half.  Sophomore Danielle Woodie/Frederisckburg (Stafford) put a hard shot  on goal from a penalty corner, but the ball was hit out ending the threat and leaving the Lancers in search of their first goal.  The Cavaliers tacked on their third goal late in the half.
    
The Longwood defense played strong for the final 35 minutes, as Virginia kept the offense surge on looking to extend their lead.  Longwood pressed in the second half and had a shot by junior Katie Claxton/Virginia Beach (Frank W. Cox) go  just wide of the net keeping the game at 3-0.  Junior Mary Freeman/Fredericksburg (Stafford) had a strong game at right midfield and helped the Longwood defense shut out a powerful UVA offense in the second half.  West also had a strong showing in goal, as the Cavalier’s kept the pressure on for most of the match.
   
 “I’m pleased with the way the team came out today,” stated ninth-year head coach Nancy Joel.  “We played hard and our defense was solid in the second half.  We’ll go head back to practice tomorrow and  get ready for two big conference games this week as California and Stanford come to town.”