September 1, 2007

RADFORD, Va.-- Longwood University field hockey fell behind 2-0 at the halftime break and was unable to recover, as the Lancers fell 3-1 to Radford on Saturday afternoon.  The Lancers fall to 0-3 on the year while Radford moves to 1-2 on the season.  Longwood will return to action on Sunday, September 2 as they take on Delaware at University of Richmond for a 1 p.m. contest.
 

The Highlanders opened up the scoring on an assisted goal by Erica Lawrence just 12:12 into the game for the early 1-0 lead.  Radford was able to pad its lead to two goals on a put back shot by Stephanie McLamb to give the home side a two goal lead heading into halftime.  
 

After the Highlanders built a three goal lead on a penalty corner seven minutes into the second half, the Lancers began to put pressure on Radford’s defense.  Longwood had two, two on one opportunities inside the Highlanders’ circle but could not find the back of the net.  Melissa Strickland/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) however put Longwood’s first point of the season on the board 17:18 to go in the game.  Strickland picked up a loose rebound and shot it past Radford’s Jennifer Wisniewski for the 3-1 score.  The Lancers continued the pressure out shooting the Highlanders 6-3 in the second half, but could not get any closer in the loss.
 

Longwood was anchored by Avanell Schmitz/Newport News (Denbigh) and Erin Bollinger/Midlothian (Clover Hill).  Schmitz appeared in 42:12 and allowed three goals and stopped five shots while Bollinger logged 27:48 of time and stopped one shot, seeing action for the first time in her Longwood career.