FARMVILLE, Va. – In a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon from the state capital, it was a last-minute short corner goal that broke a scoreless tie and pushed VCU past the Longwood field hockey team 1-0 in the regular season finale.

Both Longwood (11-5) and VCU (14-5) traded short corner opportunities all afternoon as well as key looks at the goal in the second half, but neither team was able to convert in the droves of rain until the closing moments.

VCU junior forward Lauren Kaup knocked in a loose ball on the late penalty corner, just barely getting by the Lancers' junior goalkeeper Katie Wyman – who collected two huge saves on a corner earlier in the second half.

Overall, the Lancers controlled much of the contest and outshot the Rams 10-7 behind Edel Nyland's game-high five and Leonie Verstraete's four shots.

Even with the late goal from VCU, the Lancers still had a few chances to tie the game and force a possible overtime, but the Rams were able to make it through the late surge and hold off Longwood.

Sunday's loss was also the first time the Lancers had been shutout in 2017 as they've boasted the Mid-American Conference's best offense virtually the entire season thanks to Vertraete's 13 goals and Nyland's 10 marks.

Longwood will have a quick turnaround as they begin their quest for the program's first MAC title Friday afternoon when they head to host Kent State for a showdown with the three-time defending champs. Longwood will be the No. 3 seed in this season's tournament as game time against the Golden Flashes is set for 2 p.m.

#GoWood