October 3, 2009

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Longwood University field hockey team dropped an overtime heartbreaker to NorPac East Division foe Radford University 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in Radford. Junior Lauren van de Kamp/Midlothian (Trinity Episcopal) scored in the 26th minute for Longwood's only goal. The Lancers (3-6, 1-1 NorPac) return to action on Wednesday, October 7, when they host Virginia Commonwealth University of the Colonial Athletic Association at 6 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

Longwood struck first when van de Kamp redirected a ball off a deflection into the goal in the 26th minute. Longwood's defense held strong, thwarting all nine of Radford's (4-6, 1-0) penalty corner attempts and allowing four shots, only two of them on goal.

The Lancers continued their strong defensive effort in the second half, holding Radford scoreless until the 68th minute when Lara Cariker tied the match on a penalty stroke 1-1. Junior goalkeeper Erin Bollinger/Midlothian (Clover Hill) had five saves in the second half for Longwood.

Radford had the first scoring opportunity in overtime with a penalty corner. Marlee Schramm's shot off of the corner was wide. The Highlanders would score 5:17 into the period when Courtney Poole sent a pass in front of the cage for Niamh Connolly who put it past the goalkeeper for the game-winning goal.

“Radford is always a tough opponent and the grass field can be challenging,” said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. “We played well and were competitive throughout, we just need to put teams away once we get the lead.”

Bollinger had seven saves for Longwood while Taylor Bender/Harrisburg, Pa. (Central Dauphin) had Longwood's other shot on goal. Cariker had three shots, all of them on goal and Connolly had two shots on goal.

Radford outshot Longwood 13-4 and had a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners.