October 17, 2010

BOX SCORE

NEWARK, N.J. -- Longwood University earned a 3-1 women's soccer road triumph at the New Jersey Institute of Technology of the Great West Conference Sunday afternoon in Newark, New Jersey. Sophomore standout Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) scored two goals while tying the school-record for season goals (16), including what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 31st minute, as the Lancers (10-6) won just their second road match this fall against the Highlanders (2-11-1). Longwood returns to action this Friday night, October 22, at Campbell University of the Atlantic Sun Conference in Buies Creek, North Carolina beginning at 7 p.m.

Longwood got on the scoreboard about midway through the first period when sophomore Nikki Glisson|Mechaniscville (Hanover) collected a loose ball near the top of the box and placed a high shot just under the crossbar into the net at 22:35. It was Glisson's third goal this season. The Lancers took a 2-0 lead at the intermission after Ottavio tallied her first goal at 30:38, beating the keeper one-on-one from close range after receiving a nice pass from junior MacKenzie King|Stafford (North Stafford). It was the first career assist for King.

Longwood extended the advantage to three goals in the 52nd minute as Ottavio was assisted with back-to-back passes from senior Jessica Varela|Midlothian (Clover Hill) and freshman Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage), respectively, that resulted in a successful shot from the left-side of the box. It was the 16th goal of the season for Ottavio, tying her with two others for the school's season record (Tina Tsironis, 1995; Tiffany Gruschow, 2002). Ottavio, tied for fourth in Division I goals last week, and tied for eighth nationally in points, has three matches remaining this fall to add to her record total. Varela and Pardue each have seven assists this season for the Lancers.

“We wanted to start this match stronger than we did our last and I thought we were composed and patient early,” said 17th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93. “We eventually found a way to break-down the NJIT defense. Our third goal was one of our best soccer moves that we have put together all year. We're excited to get a road win -- it feels good and we'll return home and prepare for Campbell and see if we can get the same result at their place.”

Longwood had a 17-11 advantage in shots, including 11-7 in attempts on-goal, and had a 6-4 edge on corner kicks. Graduate keeper Marcia Biddle|Woodbridge (Gar-Field) played the first 60:21 in front of the net for the Lancers with six saves and one goal allowed, while sophomore Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the final 29:39 with no saves. Sadie Mele played the duration for NJIT with eight saves.

It was the fourth meeting between the two schools in the sport of women's soccer as Longwood continues to lead the series at 3-0-1. In addition, the Lancers attained their 12th overall 10-win season in the 17-year history of the program while assuring their fifth consecutive winning campaign, and 14th overall since the team began competition in 1994.