Box Score
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 3-0 non-conference women's soccer decision to visiting VCU of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) during The G.A.M.E. 3.0 (Greatest Athletics March Ever) on Sunday night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. The Lancers (1-1) and Rams (1-0-1) battled scoreless through the first half before the visitors scored three goals within 15 minutes in the second half, including what proved to be the game-winner by Breiana White in the 48th minute. The G.A.M.E. 3.0, a special community event of pre-game festivities, was played before an enthusiastic and supportive crowd of over 1,700. Longwood will host the University of Richmond, also of the A-10, on Friday night, August 24, at the Athletics Complex in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m.
“Tactically, we decided to play with VCU instead of just sitting back and trying to counter,” said 19th year head coach
Todd Dyer '93. “They had most of the ball early on, but we did create some good scoring chances throughout the match. Statistically, we played close to even with them but there was a 15 minute stretch where we had some bad giveaways in our end and came apart a little bit, and that was the difference in the game.
“The Longwood and Farmville community deserved a better result with their incredible support of The GAME, but hopefully they appreciate our team's effort, and we'll do our best to make it up to them next time out.”
Longwood and VCU were scoreless at the intermission, though the Rams had a 6-2 advantage in shots at the break. VCU scored early in second half when White was successful on a header from a cross by Maren Johansen at 47:08. The Rams made it 2-0 in the 58th minute as Courtney Conrad took a pass from White in the box and beat the keeper left. VCU added its third goal in the 62nd minute when Bex Kunz scored unassisted on a shot that got through the keeper's hands while one-on-one. The Lancers battled back with several scoring opportunities over the final 30 minutes but could not move the net.
VCU took an 11-10 edge in shots, including 5-3 in attempts on goal, though Longwood had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Junior
Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) had three shots, including one on goal while senior captain
Natalie Massey|Virginia Beach (Landstown) added three shots as well. Senior keeper
Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills. E. Godwin) played the duration in front of the net for the Lancers with two saves.
Kunz had three shots to lead VCU, while keeper Emma Kruse played the duration for the Rams with two saves.
Longwood and VCU were playing for the third time in the sport of women's soccer as the Rams now lead the series at 3-0.
The G.A.M.E. 3.0 pre-match festivities included a spirit carnival and tailgating in the Grand Dining Room of the Longwood Dining Hall, followed by a pep rally that featured the unveiling of the new Longwood Fight Song, and a march from campus up Fourth Street and Longwood Avenue to the soccer facility on Johnston Drive. The grand marshal was Rob Blankenship '00 who is the creator of the new fight song
'Hail to Longwood U!' This is the third consecutive year for the event, a collective effort among the Athletics Department, the Office of First Year Experience, and the Town of Farmville.
