November 11, 2007
BOX SCORE
OREM, Utah -- Longwood University dropped a 3-2 women’s soccer decision to host Utah Valley University Sunday in the United Soccer Conference Tournament Championship played in Orem, Utah. The #1 seeded Lancers completed their season with a final record of 10-9-1 overall, while the #2 seeded Wolverines finish at 6-13-1 overall. Longwood closed its campaign with nine wins (9-4-1) over its final 14 games, and 14th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93 (156-89-13) could return as many as 19 players for 2008, including three starters who will each apply for medical hardship waivers after early season-ending injuries this year.
Utah Valley opened the championship match with an early goal on its home field by USC Offensive Player of the Year Jenny Clough at 12:58. The goal came on a cross from teammate Athena Bradshaw who was credited with an assist along with Taryn Smith as well. Longwood tallied a late first-half goal at 41:10 to tie the match at 1-1 at halftime as freshman Lauren Trizna/Manassas (Osbourn Park) found the net from 40 yards out on a free kick.
The host Wolverines quickly took another advantage just 24-seconds into the second half when Katey Turner shot successfully from about 30 yards out, a bomb over the keeper’s head, according to Dyer. UVU increased the lead to 3-1 at 73:34 after Andi Bagdan scored with an assist from Kendra Buchanan. The Lancers closed to within 3-2 with just under three minutes left as freshman and USC Rookie of the Year Alex Myers/Stafford (Colonial Forge) curled a shot inside the far post from about 20 yards at 87:42.
“Our team came a long way this season, dealt with a lot of adversity, and played ourselves into a championship opportunity,” said Dyer, the USC Coach of the Year. “Utah Valley is a quality team and it was certainly difficult for us playing on their home field in front of their fans.
“We’re really proud of our seniors for leading the way and pushing us forward this year. It was a strong season for us, and certainly our seniors played a key part in leading the way, and we’re going to miss them.”
Utah Valley took a 15-5 advantage in shots, though just 6-4 on-goal, and had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks as well. Longwood senior and USC Defensive Player of the Year Anne Whitmore/Charlottesville (Western Albemarle) played the duration in front of the net with three saves. Mallory Schott played the duration for the Wolverines as well with two saves.
