KENT, Ohio – Facing a tall task against three-time defending Mid-American Champion Kent State, Longwood field hockey battled but fell just short in overtime 3-2 Saturday afternoon at Murphy-Mellis Field on Berta Jover Llorens' first goal of the season.

After the Lancers (11-4, 4-2 MAC) drew first blood in the 23^rd-minute on senior captain Lil-Sophie Achterwinter's seventh goal of the season and carried the 1-0 lead into the break, the Golden Flashes (7-9, 4-1 MAC) answered out of the gates in the second half on a corner opportunity from Laila Richter's first of two goals.

"I think we were a little unfortunate with a few injuries today – we lost a couple of key players. It's getting to the point of the season where we're carrying a couple of knocks," said 10^th-year head coach Iain Byers.

Byers added, "I don't think we necessarily closed out the game the way we wanted to – probably should have done something in overtime or the last 10 minutes – but it doesn't really change too much of the season. It's unfortunate to take a loss, but it gives us some things to work on and be better at before we play Kent State in the tournament."

Following Richter's first goal of the day, Longwood's Edel Nyland answered just three minutes later on her 10^th goal of 2017, taking a loose ball in the air and punching it into the back of the net.

Despite the loss, the Lancers will compete in the upcoming Mid-American Conference tournament at Kent State for just the second time in program history and second time in as many years.

In goal, junior Katie Wyman was strong as she collected seven saves against a season-high 22 shots from the Golden Flashes that saw a 4-0 shot margin in the decisive overtime period.

"Overtime always goes to the team that takes their chances" Byers said. "We talked about not letting it get to overtime. I know the team's frustrated and it's understandable. We're happy that they're annoyed – we want teams that want to win those types of games. We'll come back. We've got two weeks of prep with VCU in between."

Richter's second goal of the day came on a penalty corner as she sent a ball into the lower left corner to force the overtime period.

Longwood will step out of conference play for one final contest as rival VCU awaits on Sunday, Oct. 29 in the back-half of a home-and-home series this season. Longwood prevailed in the first matchup 1-0 from a rain-soaked Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field as part of a 4-0 start to the season.

Game time against the Rams is set for 1 p.m. from Cary Street Field in downtown Richmond, Va.

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