October 2, 2008

BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a narrow 2-1 women's soccer decision on the road at Radford University Thursday night in Radford.  The Lancers are now 6-3-1, while the Highlanders of the Big South Conference remained unbeaten on the season at 6-0-3.  Longwood will play again on Monday, October 6, on the road again at yet another Big South opponent in Charleston Southern University in South Carolina beginning at 3 p.m..
   
Radford led 1-0 at the intermission after Latrice Lee scored at 22:25 following a rebound of a blocked shot.  Longwood tied the match at 1-1 early in the second half at 49:08 as junior Michelle DeSieno/Centreville (Chantilly) found the back of the net with her own follow of a rebound attempt.  The Highlanders secured the home win and avoided their first loss of the season with the decisive goal at 64:43 when Ashley Johnson scored on a header in front of the net from a cross served by SharDavia Bell.  The Lancers had one final opportunity for the equalizer in the final minute at 89:30 on an attempt by sophomore Alex Myers/Stafford (Colonial Forge) that went high above the goal.
  
“Radford is always a good rivalry for us and we knew we had our work cut-out for us to come in here and get a result,” said 15th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93.  “It's always tough to win on the road, and we need to use this outcome to get better and play our next match against another Big South member at Charleston Southern next week.”
   
Radford took a 24-11 advantage in shots, including 13-5 in attempts on-goal, while also taking a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.  Redshirt-sophomore keeper Marcia Biddle/Woodbridge (Gar-Field) made a season-high 11 saves while playing the duration in front of the net for Longwood.  Lisa Lubke played the entire match in goal for the Highlanders as well with four saves.
   
Longwood and Radford have now played six times since 2004 with the Lancers leading the series 4-2.