August 29, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University won its second consecutive women's soccer match Sunday afternoon, taking a 3-1 victory past visiting South Carolina State University from the Great West Conference at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. The Lancers spotted the Lady Bulldogs an early goal before responding with two goals within four minutes (3:52) en route to their home triumph. Longwood will return to action on Tuesday night, August 31, hosting VMI of the Big South Conference at the Athletics Complex in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Longwood fell behind in the 10th minute when a South Carolina State throw-in by Darci Smith made its way to the box where Olivia Moore shot the ball past the keeper into the lower right corner at 9:35. The Lady Bulldogs' keeper, Mariah Hebbe, received a red card at 11:47 and the visitors would have to play one down the rest of the way. The Lancers promptly took advantage in the 13th minute as sophomore Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover) took a nice feed from senior Jessica Varela|Midlothian (Clover Hill) and found an open net for her first collegiate goal at 12:42. In the 17th minute, sophomore Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) got loose down the left side and shot successfully to the right corner for the go-ahead and eventual game-winner at 16:34. It remained a 2-1 advantage for the hosts at the intermission.

Ottavio found the net again early in the second half after receiving a pass from freshman Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) and firing to the upper right at 51:41. It was Ottavio's second-straight two-goal effort, giving her a team-best five goals already this season. The two-goal cushion stood for the remainder of the period as Longwood controlled the action as it did for the majority of the first half as well.

“It feels good to win two in a row,” said head coach Todd Dyer '93. “We had a lot of good possessions and we created a lot of chances and scored multiple goals. We still have plenty to work on but we also saw a lot of positive things. We'll try to put on another good show Tuesday night against VMI.”

Longwood took a 20-4 advantage in shots, including 11-2 in attempts on-goal, while the corner kicks were even at 3-3. Graduate keeper Marcia Biddle|Woodbridge (Gar-Field) played the first 78:08 in front of the net for the Lancers, making one save and allowing the one goal. Sophomore keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the final 11:52 for LU but did not face any shots. Hebbe played the first 11:47 in front of the net for South Carolina State, while Danielle Murphy played the final 78:13 for the Lady Bulldogs, making eight saves and allowing the three goals.

The contest had been designated Joshua Bolt Day with special recognition of Joshua and the Bolt family taking place during a special pre-game ceremony. The Lancers dedicated the match against the Lady Bulldogs to Joshua, the son of Kyle and Jennifer Bolt, who will celebrate his ninth birthday on August 31. He successfully battles a condition that affects the brain known as cerebral palsy.

It was sixth meeting in six years between the two schools in the sport of women's soccer as Longwood now leads the all-time series at 5-0-1.