October 23, 2009

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University field hockey used a season-high four goals to top Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) rival Radford University 4-3 on Friday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville on Senior Day. Seniors Melissa Strickland/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) and Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Maury) led the Lancers with two goals each, with Strickland netting the game-winner 5:57 in to overtime. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, October 25, when it faces Towson University of the Colonial Athletic Association in Towson, Maryland at 2 p.m..

Longwood was on the attack early when Hernandez sent a shot off a Radford player's stick and in to the cage to give Longwood a 1-0 lead 9:25 into the match. The Highlanders answered less than four minutes later when Lara Cariker scored on a corner play. Radford scored again in the 24th minute off of another penalty corner to give the Highanders a 2-1 lead, an advantage they would take to halftime.

The Lancers evened the score 9:40 into the second period when Hernandez scored her second goal of the match to make the score 2-2. Strickland gave Longwood a 3-2 lead with 2:43 remaining in regulation on a hard shot from the left wing, just inside the circle, that got past the Radford goalkeeper. The Highlanders answered with 2:07 remaining in the match when Niamh Connolly took a cross from Madonna Wadolowski and put it in the cage. Radford had the last chance to win in regulation on a penalty corner after time expired, but Longwood goalkeeper Erin Bollinger/Midlothian (Clover Hill) came up with her fourth save of the second half to send the game to overtime.

Radford took the ball at the beginning of overtime and marched down the field. Marlee Schramm took a shot but junior Kimberly Sullivan/Fredericksburg (Stafford) came up with her first defensive save of the season at a very opportune time, knocking the ball away and keeping Longwood in the match. Strickland scored her second goal of the match from the right wing, just inside the circle, to give Longwood the 4-3 overtime victory.

Four other seniors started for Longwood, with Kelsey Turner/Virginia Beach (Tallwood) taking two shots, Jessica Mantel/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) and Samantha Wesser/Williamsburg (Jamestown) each taking one shot. Sara Aridas/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) also started on Senior Day.

"It is great, beating an in-state rival, moving to 3-1 in conference, especially on Senior Night," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. "Obviously, our seniors really stepped up tonight. That is good as we head down the stretch and prepare for our final three matches."

Longwood improves to 4-3 in overtime matches this season and 8-4 in matches decided by just one goal.

The Lancers outshot Radford 21-12, including 9-2 in the first half and 6-2 in overtime. Longwood edged the Highlanders 7-6 in penalty corners.

The Lancers were led by Strickland who had two goals on four shots and Hernandez who also scored twice on six shots.

Radford was led by Cariker who scored one goal on four shots. Jennifer Wisniewski had 12 saves in goal for the Highlanders.