February 14, 2006

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University opened its 2006 women’s lacrosse campaign Tuesday with a 19-3 loss to preseason #2 Duke University at the New Athletics Complex in Farmville. The nationally-ranked Blue Devils (1-0) received four goals each from Carolyn Davis and Kristen Waagbo, while the Lancers (0-1) were led by junior Cathleen Strain/Alexandria (Mount Vernon) with two goals. Longwood will play again Thursday, Feb. 16, at the University of Denver in Colorado at 1 p.m..

Against Duke, the match began after Longwood University President, Dr. Patricia Cormier, offered her pre-game comments and sent the first ball onto the new artificial turf field to fifth-year senior captain Emily Bikowski/Fairfax (Bishop O’Connell) to begin the inaugural match. Longwood got the crowd excited early as Strain tallied the first goal (unassisted) of the season, and at the new field, just 3:35 into the much-anticipated season-opening contest. The Blue Devils, however, scored nine unanswered goals to lead 9-1 at the intermission as Waagbo scored all four of her goals in the opening period.

Duke, which finished 17-4 while advancing to the NCAA Division I National Semifinals a year ago, built upon its commanding lead in the second half with a 10-2 advantage in scoring. Davis and Rachel Sanford each tallied three goals in the period for the visitors. Longwood added two goals in the half as well with Strain placing her second goal into the net at 51:30, assisted by Bikowski, and freshman Ann Rae Keel/Westminster, Md. (Westminster) earned her first collegiate goal at 56:53.

Duke took a 35-19 advantage in shots, while forcing 16 Longwood turnovers, though the Lancers had a 17-13 edge in ground balls. Blue Devil keeper Megan Huether started and played the first 46:14 while allowing just one goal with six saves. Longwood senior captain and keeper Emily Wilson/Owings, Md. (Northern) started and played the first 38:49, yielding 11 goals with eight saves.