FARMVILLE, Va. – Facing one of the top teams in the country, the Lancers did what they could to stay in the game before eventually falling short. 

The Longwood field hockey team was defeated 3-0 by No. 15 Liberty on Sunday afternoon at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. After keeping the game close with a scoreless first half, the Lancers allowed two penalty corner goals in the second half before the Lady Flames capped off the match with a late goal.
 
"We defended really well for long periods of time in that game," said head coach Iain Byers. "We knew that it was going to be a defensive battle—not letting them score an open field goal until the very end was a good thing for us. It was a good test for us. There are some positive and negative things we can take away from this game."
 
Longwood (6-6, 2-1 MAC) managed to hold Liberty (8-3, 3-1 Big East), who entered the game averaging 3.40 goals per contest, off the board for the first 40 minutes of game action. However, an impressive Lady Flame penalty corner unit that entered the game with 11 goals off the set play this season was able to break through late in the third quarter. Mallory Fortenbaugh inserted the corner before getting a pass back towards the side of the goal from teammate Daniella Rhodes and redirected it into the Lancer goal to grab the first lead of the game, 1-0.
 
The pair would combine for another corner goal early in the fourth, again coming on a pass from Rhodes and finish by Fortenbaugh to double the Liberty lead to 2-0. Jill Bolton added an unassisted goal with just 17 seconds left after a turnover as the Lady Flames went on to win, 3-0.
 
"Their corner routine is very impressive, and they are a very good team," added Byers. "They are No. 15 in the country for a reason."
 
Two-time All-MAC performer Katie Wyman made nine saves in goal for the Lancers, as she did all she could to hold the high-powered Liberty offense at bay. Assisting her on the backline of the defense was Luna Lopez, Rio Weber, and Clara Meschini, who helped prevent an open-field goal until the very end of the match. Offensively for Longwood, Meschini led the way with two total shots.
 
Up next for the Lancers is a MAC showdown with reigning MAC tournament champion Miami (Ohio) in Oxford, Ohio. The match will be on Friday, Oct. 18 and is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
 
#GoWood