October 5, 2008

BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. - The Longwood University field hockey team (5-7; 3-2 NorPac) fell to conference opponent Radford 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, after taking the game into double penalty strokes. The Lancers received an all-star performance from senior goalkeeper Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford) who collected an outrageous 25 saves to keep her team in the game, despite being forced to play on a natural grass surface. Longwood returns home for its next game, hosting VCU on Saturday, October 11 at the Athletics Complex at 1 p.m.
   
“Erin played out of her skin today,” head coach Iain Byers said. “She kept us in this game for so long. I can not be more proud of her individual performance. She held strong and really led our team today.”
   
Radford's Holly Lojacono was the first scorer of the game to break through, taking a pass from Stephanie McLamb in the 19th minute of the contest. Despite giving up the early goal, Longwood would manage to keep Radford scoreless throughout the remainder of the half.
   
Radford had an advantage in possession throughout the entire game, outshooting the Lancers 32-2, while having an 18-6 advantage in corners.
  
The Lancers defense would hold strong in the second half, holding Radford to five shots and keeping them off the board. Junior Melissa Strickland/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) scored the game tying goal with nine minutes left in the game (61:40), helping send the game into overtime. Strickland's goal was her first of the season and came on a breakaway down the left side of the field.
   
The two teams headed into the first overtime period with Radford having a 10-0 advantage in shots. Despite the extra opportunities, Radford would not be able to get one past West, sending the game into the second sudden death overtime period. The second overtime would end just like the first, with Radford dominating possession, while the Lancers' defense held strong.
   
In the first round of penalty strokes, both teams would sink two of their five changes. Senior Carla Binnewies/Hamburg, Germany (Carl von Ossietzkly Gymnasium) was the first of the Lancers to make her shot, followed by junior Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Maury). The two teams would head into the second round of penalty strokes with Radford squeezing in one more than the Lancers, to take the game 4-3 on strokes. Binnewies scored the Lancers lone stroke in the second round.
   
“Strokes are a difficult way to lose a game. We have to give it to Radofrd, they played a very good game. We had some difficulties playing on a grass field, but that's no excuse. You always want to come out and have a strong showing, especially in a conference game. Our girls fought hard, but unfortunately we weren't able to execute our game plan.”