October 22, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University field hockey team improved to 8-9 on the season Wednesday night, defeating conference foe Radford 2-1. The Lancers game winning goal came with 20 seconds left on the clock, as freshman Amanda Babineau/Stafford (Mountain View) slipped the ball past the fallen Radford keeper. Longwood hits the road for its final road game of the season on Sunday, October 26, heading to #5 Duke for a 1 p.m. matchup.
   
The Lancers struck first blood, taking a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute with a goal from senior Carra Bunner/Virginia Beach (Kempsville). The 5-8 forward collected the ball about 20-yards out, dribbling past the Radford defenders and into the shooting circle where she then proceeded to score her fifth goal of the season. Bunner fired her shot from the near post, lifting it over the Radford keeper to find the upper, far post corner of the cage.
   
Longwood headed into the half with a 7-2 shot advantage, while Radford had the lead in corners, 6-2.
   
Radford tied the game up in the 64th minute with an unassisted goal from Lara Cariker. The Highlander lead would be short lived as Longwood netted their winning goal just six minutes later. The goal came after a penalty corner, when junior Kelsey Turner/Virginia Beach (Tallwood) took a shot at goal, but had it saved by a diving Radford keeper. As the Radford keeper blocked the ball, the rebound found a wide open Babineau who slipped it into the back of the cage.
   
The Highlanders nearly tied things up seconds later after earning back-to-back penalty corners with no time left on the clock. The Lancers defense held strong, denying both of the Highlander chances.
   
Senior Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford) played the whole game in net for the Lancers, recording two saves.
   
“It was great for us to get a win,” head coach Iain Byers said. “It was a much needed and deserved win. Radford got the better of us earlier in the season, but we were able to take this one from them. I couldn't be more happy for our girls, who never say never. It's good to see Radford once more heading into the NorPac Tournament.”