October 9, 2007

BOX SCORE

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Longwood University took a 1-0 women’s soccer road victory at Liberty University Tuesday night in Lynchburg. Freshman Halie Romasco/Yorktown (Grafton) scored the only goal of the game late in the first half for what proved to be the game-winner as the Lancers defeated the Flames for the first-time ever in the sport. Longwood improved to 5-5 with its second-straight win, and fourth win in the last five matches, while Liberty dropped to 2-7. The Lancers will play again on Friday, October 12, at South Carolina State University beginning at 7 p.m..

Romasco's decisive goal came just minutes before the intermission at 39:05 when she received a nice through-ball pass off the right wing from classmate Alex Myers/Stafford (Colonial Forge) and found the back of the net. It was the first goal of the season and collegiate career for Romasco, a first-year forward, and the first career assist for Myers, a first-year forward as well.

Liberty took a 22-8 advantage in shots, though just a 7-6 edge in shots on-goal, and the Flames had a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks as well. Senior keeper Anne Whitmore/Charlottesville (Western Albemarle) made six saves while playing the duration in front of the net for Longwood. It was Whitmore’s second consecutive shutout, and third this year, giving the fourth-year goalie – this week’s United Soccer Conference Goalie of the Week – 11 shutouts during her career with the Lancers. Ashley Nyholt had five saves for Liberty.

Longwood won its first-ever contest against Liberty in women’s soccer in seven overall contests since 1999 between the two nearby schools. The Lancers are now 1-5-1 against the Flames, including a 0-0 overtime tie in 2003. The road triumph avenged last year’s 3-0 loss to Liberty in Farmville, a game that was the first-ever played at the new Athletics Complex on Johnston Drive.