FARMVILLE, Va. – Sophia Loscher delivered a clutch goal in overtime, and Katie Wyman was a brick wall to lead Longwood past Appalachian State 2-1 in a Mid-American Conference showdown Saturday afternoon at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field.
 
With the game knotted at 1-1 in extra time and Longwood (6-5, 2-1 MAC) with a chance on a penalty corner, Loscher pegged a shot into the back of the cage for her third game-winning goal this season. That golden goal sequence punctuated a set piece that began with Jamie Wright's insertion and was set up by Charlotte Wilm's pass.
 
"It was a good performance from the group," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers, whose Lancers improved to 3-2 in one-goal games this season.
 
"We fought in an OT game, and that's always a mental battle. We had a tough start to the game, but in the second half we played a much better style and brand of hockey. There were a lot of emotions in the game because of the tournament last year, so we're happy to get that monkey off our back. Tomorrow's going to be a tough game, but every game is winnable."
 
The win avenged last year's postseason loss to Appalachian State in the quarterfinals of the MAC Championship tournament and improved Longwood's all-time record against the Mountaineers to 11-2.
 
That latest win ended on Loscher's 66th-minute game-winner, which backed another strong effort from Wyman who entered the day leading the nation in save percentage and added to her senior resume by stopping six of the seven shots she faced.
 
Wyman's biggest save of the game came early in overtime when she initially broke up an Appalachian State (8-5 overall, 1-3 MAC) rush. The ball stayed inside the shooting circle and Appalachian State's Allison Corey took a shot from straightaway, but Longwood's All-MAC keeper kicked it aside to send the ball the other way.
 
Wyman helped Longwood weather a first-half storm of eight shots and a high press from Appalachian State. The Mountaineers scored on a penalty corner late in the second quarter from Veerle Van Heertum, but Longwood responded after halftime.
 
Karly Harwood whacked in the game-tying goal for a second straight game. She hovered around the front of the goal and banged her team-leading sixth goal of the season to even the score at one. That second-half turnaround also saw Longwood hold Appalachian State to just three shots and without a penalty corner through the end of regulation.
 
"We did pretty well changing our attitude from the first half to the second half," said sophomore defender Luna Lopez. "The first half was chaotic, and in the second half we talked and changed our system. Our attitude played a big role and made the difference."
 
Next up for the Lancers is an in-state rivalry showdown against No. 15 Liberty on Sunday afternoon in Farmville at noon.
 
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