CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina rode an eighth-minute goal from Sara Robinson and grinded out a 1-0 win over the visiting Lancers Sunday afternoon at the Catamount Athletic Complex.
 
The eventual game-winner for the Catamounts (3-2-1) came just 7:10 into the game after Robinson corralled a pass from Sayres McKenna at the top of Longwood's penalty arc and fired it into the lower right corner of the Lancer net. It was the first goal of the season for the fifth-year senior and stood for the remaining 82-plus minutes of the game.
 
"In the first half, we did just enough to lose the game by giving up a goal when we had good numbers behind the ball," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer. "In the second half we were better and created some opportunities, but we just couldn't get the goal we needed to get back into the game."
 
Western Carolina's defensive backline of goalkeeper Carly Tintsman and 90-minute defenders Morgan Figliola, Alexa Frankney and Sheridan Caudle held off the Lancers (2-3-0) after Robinson's goal, withstanding nine Longwood shots including five on goal. That defensive contingent helped stave off multiple set-piece chances for the Lancers, who had two second-half corner kicks thwarted, including one inside the final five minutes.
 
After the opening goal, Longwood was able to match Western Carolina's defensive stinginess by blanking the Catamounts for the final 82:50. Longwood sophomore goalkeeper Maria Kirby saved the ensuing three shots on goal she faced, but the Lancers went into the final horn without finding the back of the Catamount net.
 
"We have to be better on both sides of the ball if we're going to earn results moving forward, and that's the challenge we currently face," Dyer said.
 
The Lancers (2-2-0) have two days to recover before facing VMI on the road Tuesday at 4 p.m in Lexington, Va. That will be the third consecutive road game in a span of five straight away matchups for the Lancers, who follow VMI with trips to West Virginia and Richmond before returning to the Longwood Athletics Complex for the Big South opener against High Point on Sept. 23.

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