CLINTON, S.C. – Katie McHugh netted a career-high eight goals to spearhead Longwood's offensive explosion in a 21-7 rout of Presbyterian Friday afternoon at Martin Stadium.
 
McHugh was Longwood's offensive fulcrum throughout, finding the net on eight of her team-leading 10 shots to key the Lancers' first 20-goal outing of the year. The eight-goal outburst gives McHugh 13 goals in her past two outings, both Longwood wins. The second straight win vaults Longwood (4-9, 2-1 Big South) into a tie for third place in the Big South standings with four conference games remaining.
 
"I was really pleased with the whole team's effort today," Longwood head coach Elaine Jones said. "We started off strong and kept up a high level of intensity all game. I especially liked that we had multiple attackers contribute goals or and/or assists."
 
Paced by McHugh's 8-of-10 shooting performance, Longwood turned in its second straight double-digit scoring performance. McHugh was one of nine Lancers to find the back of the net and one of five who added an assist. Longwood outshot Presbyterian 35-19 and gave up back-to-back goals just once.
 
"I thought Katie did a great job finding the net today, and Sarah Arndt really helped set the tone by working hard to snag nine draws," Jones said. "We look forward to riding this momentum into our gamed Sunday."
 
Longwood was in control of Presbyterian (3-9, 0-3 Big South) from the start with McHugh wasting little time in asserting herself with a goal just 55 seconds into the game. That goal, which started after junior midfielder Sarah Butler grabbed the opening draw control, sparked a 6-0 run for the Lancers who trailed by no fewer than four goals the rest of the way.
 
Longwood staked a 12-5 lead by halftime, thanks to an 11-7 draw control advantage orchestrated by Butler in the center circle and Arndt on the outside. Arndt grabbed nine of Longwood's 15 draw controls for the game and helped the Lancers win the first-half battle 11-7. She added an unassisted goal with 11 minutes left in the first half to extend her point streak to all 13 games this season.
 
Junior Lisa Schell also got on the board with two goals for the second straight game, scoring both on free position shots. The Lancers were 6-of-10 shooting one-on-one from other arc, including a perfect 3-of-3 day from McHugh.
 
On the defensive end, Longwood held its second straight opponent to single digits thanks to five saves from Christian Acker and an 18-16 advantage in ground balls. Chelsea DiIonno worked the net for more than 12 minutes, fighting off two of the three shots she faced to help the Lancers lower their in-conference goals against average to 7.33.
 
The Lancers will try to keep the momentum in their favor as they continue their two-game road trip through the Carolinas with a Sunday matchup at Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. at 1 p.m.

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