August 31, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University won its third consecutive women's soccer match Tuesday night, taking a 4-0 shutout victory past visiting Virginia Military Institute from the Big South Conference at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. The Lancers scored three goals on penalty kicks, all by senior captain Lauren Trizna|Manassas (Osbourn Park) for the rare hat-trick, en route to their home triumph. Longwood improved its record to 3-2 this season and will return to action this weekend on Sunday, September 5, on the road at Long Island University of the Northeast Conference in Brooklyn, New York beginning at 12 p.m.

Longwood and VMI looked like they would battle to a scoreless first half before a late foul in the box at 43:58 gave the Lancers their first penalty kick just before the break. Trizna promptly placed the ball to the lower left corner of the net on the PK to give the hosts the 1-0 lead at the intermission. LU had controlled the action during the first 45 minutes with a 7-1 advantage in shots as the Keydets played on their defensive side of the field.

Longwood quickly added its second goal in the 50th minute when freshman Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) took a nice feed from junior Kacie Oliver|Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth) in the box and shot successfully to the lower right at 49:23. The Lancers, specifically Trizna, converted two more penalty kicks in the 61st and 63rd minutes, respectively, to secure the home victory and team's third in a row. Trizna placed the second PK almost identical to the first before taking the third PK and blasting the ball just left of center into the back of the net about chest-high. LU's shot advantage in the second half was 10-2.

“Three PKs in one game ... probably one of the craziest things I've ever seen,” said head coach Todd Dyer '93. “I'm happy that Triz was able to convert them for us as we have struggled a little with them in the past.

“We knew going in that VMI would be very organized and tough. Obviously, the first goal changed everything and we were able to create some chances and draw some fouls in the penalty area. We're happy with three wins in five days and now look forward to playing Long Island.”

Longwood took a 17-3 advantage in shots, including 10-2 in attempts on-goal, with a 7-2 edge on corner kicks. Graduate keeper Marcia Biddle|Woodbridge (Gar-Field) played the first 62:19 in front of the net for the Lancers, making two saves. Sophomore keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the final 27:41 for LU but only faced one shot as the two combined for the shutout. Angela Redmond played the first 64:26 in front of the net for VMI with five saves and allowed all four goals, while Heidi Beemer played the final 25:34 for the Keydets, making one save.

It was seventh meeting since 2003 between the two schools in the sport of women's soccer as Longwood now leads the all-time series at 6-0-1.