OXFORD, Ohio - In a matchup featuring the Mid-American Conference's best defense in Longwood and the two-time defending champions of the MAC in Miami (Ohio), a big third quarter from the RedHawks proved to be the difference.
 
Miami defeated the Lancers 4-2 on the strength of a three-goal third quarter on Friday afternoon. The MAC's leading goal scorer struck twice, as Leonor Berlie tallied two goals in the win for the RedHawks, who have lost just one conference game in the last three seasons. Longwood's offensive came alive late, as they tallied a pair of fourth quarter goals by Karly Harwood and Sophia Loscher in a comeback attempt.
 
"I think the first half was pretty solid," said head coach Iain Byers. "We really lost control of the game in the third, but brought it back in the fourth. So, there are lessons to be learned.
 
Longwood (6-7, 2-2 MAC) started the second half trailing just 1-0, but Miami (8-7, 3-1 MAC) was able to take control in the third frame. The reigning MAC champions scored three goals across five minutes in the quarter to surge the RedHawks to a 4-0 lead. A two-time All-MAC first team performer, Berlie's two tallies brought her conference-best total to 11 goals.  
 
The Longwood offense would respond, as they were able to carry play throughout the game's final quarter. Harwood notched her seventh goal of the season off the feed from Jamie Wright, moving her into third on the MAC goal leaderboard as she continues to extend her new career high. Longwood's second leading scorer, Sophia Loscher, found the net as well for her sixth of the season.
 
The Lancers dropped to .500 in MAC play with two conference foes remaining on the regular season schedule in Kent State and Ball State as they look to improve their standing prior to the start of the conference tournament on Nov. 6 that will be played at Miami's field in Oxford, Ohio.
 
"It was a disappointing performance, but there are definitely lessons to be learned," added Byers. "I think we will learn those lessons and get ready for Louisville and further MAC games."
 
Miami opened the scoring early in the second quarter when Berlie fired home the direct insert on a penalty corner to get the RedHawks a 1-0 lead they would hold until the half.
 
Allie Grace Joyner doubled the Miami lead when she buried a rebound goal early in the third quarter that made the score 2-0. Mia Gordon deflected a Lexie Nugent shot into the cage shortly after to make it 3-0, before Berlie notched her second tally of the contest on a penalty stroke goal to make the Miami lead 4-0.
 
In the fourth, Harwood took Jamie Wright's feed and deflected it past Miami keeper Isabelle Perese to open the scoring for the Lancers. Loscher's goal near the end of the game came on a straight shot into the back of the net, bringing the final score to 4-2.
 
Longwood is back in action tomorrow, when they head to Kentucky to take on Lousiville. The game is set to start at 12 p.m.