September 24, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University field hockey team defeated Liberty University 4-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Junior Christina Verhulst|Yorktown (Grafton) scored two goals, while junior goalkeeper Amy Lewis|Lewisville N.C. (Forsyth Country Day) recorded her first career shutout for the Lancers (4-6) against the Flames (3-5). Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, September 27, when it opens Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference play against in-state rival Radford University at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

The Lancers jumped on top early when sophomore Stacey de Grandhomme|Cape Town, South Africa (Table View) scored on a penalty corner that was set up by senior Sarah Bietsch|Chambersburg, Pa. (Chambersburg Area) and inserted by senior Rachel Akers|Virginia Beach (First Colonial) at 2:41. Longwood extended its lead on Verhulst's first goal at 7:41 when she tipped a shot from senior Olga Knop|Berlin, Germany (Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium). The Lancers led 2-0 until Verhulst scored her second goal of the match at 47:12 from the left post off a pass from junior Kaity Byrum|Suffolk (Lakeland). Senior Lauren Sullivan|Fredericksburg (Stafford) capped the Longwood scoring when she scored a breakaway goal off a pass from freshman Jessica Diaz|Chesapeake (Western Branch) at 64:06.

Longwood outshot Liberty 19-3 and had a 13-1 advantage in penalty corners. de Grandhomme attempted a match-high five shots with four shots on goal, while Verhulst and Knop each took four shots. Lewis made one save in her first appearance of the season and played all 70 minutes in the shutout. Liberty's Ann Jefferis made nine saves and allowed four goals in the loss.