FARMVILLE, Va. – Behind five saves from goalkeeper Morgan Lang, American withstood a second-half onslaught from Longwood's frontline and held on for a 1-0 win Friday evening at the Longwood Athletics Complex.
 
The American senior stood tall in the face of a recharged Lancer team after halftime, stopping the two shots on goal she faced while watching 13 others buzz overhead and wide of the net. Longwood (1-4-0) uncorked 15 of its 21 shots after halftime, including 10 in the final 20 minutes, but could not connect to overcome the 1-0 deficit.
 
Among those chances were Emilie Kupsov's 68th-minute connection with the far left post and a follow-up goal by Danielle Toone that officials waived off as offsides, as well as a long free kick from Carrie Reaver that Lang just punched over the net. Junior midfielder Emily Mothersbaugh also saw a brief shooting window open in the 88th minute but sent her shot high over the net.
 
Those missed opportunities allowed American forward Reagan Gould's first-half goal to stand as the game-winner and propel the Eagles (4-3-0) to their third win over a Big South team this season. Gould put American on top in the 13th minute when she chased down a rebound from Keelin Ferris' shot that Longwood goalkeeper Mary Kate Levush deflected but could not control in front of the net.
 
"We need to defend better against set pieces, and we have to finish our chances," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer. "We will get an opportunity to work on both again Sunday against UMBC."
 
The win was American's first on Longwood's home field in three tries and avenged last year's 2-0 Lancer victory in Washington, D.C.
 
Longwood will get the opportunity for redemption at the Athletics Complex this Sunday, Sept. 15, when UMBC comes to town for a 3 p.m. kickoff. That will be Longwood's final non-conference bout before beginning Big South play at Presbyterian on Sept. 21.
 
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