FARMVILLE, Va. – Sophomore Kate Harvey scored her first career goal as a Lancer and sent Longwood to a 2-1 overtime victory over Vermont Saturday at the Athletics Complex. Longwood secured its first overtime victory breaking a string of three consecutive overtime losses this season.

Longwood prioritized a quick start Saturday, after suffering from sluggish openings for much of the season. The Lancers accomplished the feat, outshooting Vermont 8-4, including five shots on cage in the first half. Longwood created chances left and right all afternoon, only to be stonewalled by Lena Benwood and the Vermont defense.

Longwood didn't stop at the half either. A day after a frustrating second-half letdown foiled the Lancers, Longwood continued its assault on the Vermont cage to the tune of 10 second-half shots. Over the 76:48 of game time, Longwood tallied a season-high 24 shots and provided a glimpse of its attacking potential.

"We played a good style of hockey," said head coach Iain Byers. "We haven't been as effective as we could be in front of cage the last couple of games. I think today was a sign of us getting better at that – 2 goals, a lot of shots -- so it's a good start heading into the meat of conference play."

At times, it felt as if a goal may never come for the Lancers. It took nearly 52 minutes and 12 shots before Longwood finally broke through on a corner. Jennifer Burris inserted the ball short to Lil-Sophie Achterwinter on the left side; Achterwinter fired her shot low and into the left corner to beat Benwood and give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived as only five minutes later, Vermont was awarded a penalty stroke after the ball struck a Longwood defender on the line. Taylor Gaines converted the chance for the Catamounts to even the score at 1-1. The stroke gave Vermont an instant boost and all sorts of momentum.

The Catamounts leapt forward in attack, pushing hard for a go-ahead goal. The Lancers were able to withstand the Vermont surge and the Catamounts stalled a late Longwood charge to send the game into overtime.

Vermont raced out in overtime and provided early pressure, creating a golden opportunity just one minute into the period. Ashley McDonald was all alone in front of the cage, but sent her shot trickling just wide.

That's when the Lancers broke out. Finally able to clear its own zone, Longwood began to apply the pressure to Vermont. The Lancers earned a corner at 75:44 and Kate Harvey drove the ball toward the lower left corner, but Benwood made a spectacular diving save to rob Harvey – or so it seemed.

Moments later, Longwood earned another corner, this time Harvey set up short and to the left of the cage. Burris inserted it directly to the defender who unleashed a blast into the back of the cage for the game winner.

"Obviously, I'm delighted," beamed Harvey. "I think the team really deserved it because we've been unlucky with overtime this season. I think we've broken the streak now and want to continue this play into a big game Tuesday."

Longwood will make the hour-long jaunt to Lynchburg Tuesday for a 4 p.m. showdown with rival Liberty.