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FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood field hockey team showed plenty of grit Friday night against a Liberty team that received votes in the latest coaching poll, but fell just short in their comeback effort as the Flames got two quick goals from Agueda Moroni and Victoria O'Keeffe to start the second half for a 3-2 victory Friday evening from Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. The loss snaps the Lancers' four-game winning streak to begin the season after victories over Villanova, Towson, VCU and Dartmouth.

After Longwood (4-1) and Liberty (1-2) traded first half goals, O'Keeffe broke the 1-1 tie just one minute into the second half before Agueda Moroni provided the insurance and eventual game-winner just three minutes later to push the Flames ahead for good at 3-1.

"Liberty is a very strong opponent," said 10^th-year head coach Iain Byers. "I don't think we executed our game plan the way we wanted to, particularly in the first half. Our outlet passing probably wasn't where it needed to be, but we adjusted and after the timeout we played well.

"We got some good energy going and I think we just let them get a little too much momentum in the first half and once you're in a hole, you're in a hole and it's tough to get out of," Byers said. "3-2 is a tough lesson to learn, but an important lesson to learn. Things are going to go against us in the season, but we're going to be tough and battle through."

Moroni, who was all over the field for the Flames as she fired nine shots, four on goal in the contest, broke the scoreless tie in the 15th-minute before recently-named Mid-American Conference (MAC) Offensive Player of the Week Leonie Verstraete evened things up in the 30th-minute on her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Senior defender and team captain Lil-Sophie Achterwinter began the Lancer comeback effort as she converted a penalty corner in the 61st-minute to bring the score back within a goal at 3-2 before Liberty's sophomore goalkeeper Allison Schaefer stood tall over the final nine minutes. Achterwinter's goal was her second of the season, both coming on penalty opportunities, while Verstraete picked up her team-leading third assist and 11th point in just five contests.

"I was happy that I scored, but I was just happy that we got the ball in the net," said Achterwinter, who converted a penalty corner for the second time this season.
Achterwinter and junior goalkeeper Katie Wyman have anchored a Lancer defense that had given up just two goals in four games and faced only faced 26 shots from opponents entering Friday's matchup with the Flames.

"Lilly (Achterwinter) at the back leads the defense really well. She just contains and controls and does what she needs to, both making those tackles and controlling those people around her," Byers said. "She's done a top-notch job of that over the last couple of years, but this year she's got the support around her. I think what hurts today is that we didn't get enough time in their forward field. We were just under pressure for too long of periods and it finally tolled on us. "

Wyman, who was recently named MAC Defensive Player of the Week, faced a season-high 13 shots on the day, six on goal as she picked up three saves in the net for Longwood. Liberty's Schaeffer faced six Lancer shots in the win, four on goal as she picked up two saves.

Both Verstraete and Achterwinter, Longwood's two goal-scorers on Friday, sent two shots to lead the way while seniors Abbey Ripley, Sarah Vrhovac and Edel Nyland each fired off a shot in the loss.

Liberty's O'Keeffe, Moniek van Aarle, Alynn Richardson and Lindsay Pratt all fired shots while Jill Bolton and O'Keeffe picked up the Flames' two assists.

"As long as a loss isn't wasted, then we're fine," Byers said. "The lessons that we learn from (this game) are being a bit more aggressive up front and moving the ball a little bit better. If we can learn those lessons and use those skills we'll be fine."

Achterwinter added "We talked about it after the game, but we're going to learn a lot from this game because we want to get that next win."

Longwood has a quick turnaround and opportunity to get back into the win column with their lone road trip of September on Sunday as the Lancers head to the Tar Heel state to take on Davidson out of the A-10. Game time between the Lancers and Wildcats is set for 3 p.m. from Carol Grotnes Belk Field.

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