Box Score 2.25.2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's lacrosse team defeated visiting University of California 8-6 Friday afternoon to open the 2011 campaign at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Cara O'Brien|Arlington (Bishop O'Connell) led the Lancers with three goals, while senior Juli Liebig|Centreville, Md. (Queen Anne's) protected the net, finishing with 13 saves to lead LU (1-0) past the Golden Bears (2-2). Longwood is back in action at the Athletics Complex in Farmville on Thursday, March 3, at 4 p.m., hosting the Red Flash of Saint Francis (Pa.) University.

In a back-and-forth battle, California's Vail Horn opened scoring in the game at the 23:35 mark before Longwood answered with two quick goals by senior Kesley Dean|Centreville, Md. (Queen Anne's) at 21:58 and junior Jess Rudloff|West Chester, Pa. (West Chester East) at 21:40. O'Brien scored her first goal of the game at the 14:30 mark off sophomore Jamie Brentlinger's|Odenton, Md. (Arundel) first assist to push the Lancers ahead 3-2. Cal closed the first half with two goals, first from Amelia Burke followed by Melissa Humphrey with 1:49 to go to take the lead at 4-3.

Longwood came out of halftime and scored four-straight goals as junior Sam Stifler|Jarrettsville, Md. (North Harford) started the run just one minute into the second period. Just two minutes then separated the second and third goals of the half for Longwood as O'Brien and senior Duan Wright|Church Hill, Md. (Queen Anne's) extended the lead to 6-4. Brentlinger's goal ended the 4-0 run for Longwood with 4:14 remaining in the game for a 7-4 lead off a pass from junior Karen Nirschl|Herndon, (Bishop Denis J. O'Connell).

Cal answered two more times from Megan Takacs and Humphrey with 2:30 to go leaving the Golden Bears within one goal. With only one second remaining, O'Brien tallied her third goal off Brentlinger's second assist and sealed the victory for the Lancers.

Longwood was outshot by Cal 25-18 while ground balls were nearly even at 24 and 23, respectively. Liebig nabbed a game-high seven ground balls and also caused three turnovers. Junior Hannah Riggs|Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie) added five ground balls for Longwood and collected a game-high four draw controls. Humphrey led California with two goals and Takacs added one goal and one assist.