October 10, 2009

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University field hockey topped Northern Pacific Field Hockey (NorPac) opponent Appalachian State University 3-2 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Maury) scored the game-winning goal 57 seconds in to overtime. The Lancers (5-6, 2-1 NorPac) have won eight-straight matches over the Mountaineers (6-8, 1-2 NorPac) dating back to the 2002 season. Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, October 13, when it hosts the University of Virginia, ranked third in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Coaches Poll, at 4 p.m. at the Athletics Complex.

Longwood stormed out to an early 2-0 lead in the first 16 minutes of the match. Sophomore Olga Knop/Berlin, Germany (Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium) found junior Lauren van de Kamp/Midlothian (Trinity Episcopal) by the post after a penalty corner and van de Kamp's shot went behind the ASU goalkeeper for the score in the 14th minute. Freshman Christina Verhulst/Yorktown (Grafton) scored just over two minutes later after she collected a loose ball in front of the net to give Longwood a 2-0 lead. The Lancers had another great opportunity in the 26th minute as freshman Brittany Diaz/Chesapeake (Western Branch) had a breakaway, but ASU goalkeeper Bridgette Street came out and met Diaz and took the ball off her stick before she could get a shot.

ASU would not go away in the second half. The Mountaineers pulled within one at 2-1 less than two minutes in to the second period when Lisa Charney took a pass from Kate Garnet and sent a rocket past Longwood goalkeeper Erin Bollinger/Midlothian (Clover Hill) from eight yards out. Garnet would add a goal in the 49th minute to tie the match at 2-2. Neither team would score in the remainder of regulation, even though Longwood out-shot ASU 14-3 in the second half.

Overtime would not last long as Hernandez would score the game-winning goal off a deflection only 57 seconds in to the extra period.

“We played well at times today,” said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. “We have to be smarter in front of the cage. We need to convert on more shots and take advantage of our opportunities, especially with Virginia coming in on Tuesday. A win is a win, and a conference win is even more important so I am pleased with that. This is the second match in a row that a senior (Hernandez) has stepped up and helped the team when the match was on the line.”

The win was Longwood's third overtime win this season, including the last two matches. The Lancers are now 3-3 in overtime matches and 1-1 in overtime NorPac matches.

Longwood out-shot ASU 25-6 and had an 11-2 advantage on penalty corners. Senior Jessica Mantel/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) led Longwood with six shots, three on goal while Verhulst had three shots with one on goal. Street had nine saves in the cage for the Mountaineers.