October 26, 2007
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Longwood University took a 1-0 women’s soccer road victory at Howard University Friday night in Washington, D.C.. Sophomore Michelle DeSieno/Centreville (Chantilly) scored the only goal of the game late in the first half for what proved to be the game-winner as the Lancers completed their United Soccer Conference league schedule undefeated at 5-0. Longwood improved to 8-6-1 overall with its second-straight win, and will play again on Monday, October 29, hosting Charleston Southern University at the Athletics Complex in Farmville beginning at 3 p.m..
DeSieno’s game-winning goal came just before the intermission at 43:55 with an assist from classmate Tia Nardella/Brookline, Mass. (Brookline) on a night that witnessed the two teams playing during a torrential downpour, according to 14th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93 (154-86-13). Howard’s artificial turf field had standing water in places from the heavy rain in the area, almost preventing the match from even being played. It was the fourth goal of the season for DeSieno who leads the team in scoring this season, and the sixth goal of her brief career. It was Nardella's first assist this fall, and third of her young career.
Longwood took a 7-3 advantage in shots, though Howard had a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Senior keeper Anne Whitmore/Charlottesville (Western Albemarle) played the duration in front of the net for the Lancers to earn her fifth shutout this year, giving the fourth-year goalie – this week’s United Soccer Conference Goalie of the Week for the fourth time – 13 shutouts during her career. Whitmore moved into a tie for third all-time in shutouts with Eryn Craft (1995-96, 13). Jessamyn Perkins also played the duration for Howard with three saves as the Bison dropped to 2-14 overall, 2-3 in the USC.
Longwood continues to play well despite numerous injuries while compiling a 7-2-1 record in its last 10 matches, and five of the team's overall six losses have been by just one goal. The Lancers have experienced injuries like never before with three starting student-athletes set to apply for a medical hardship waiver for another year of eligibility, and five others that have missed games due to injury as well -- all of whom have started contests this season.
