FARMVILLE, Va. – In a defensive-minded contest, it was one goal that made all the difference.

The Longwood field hockey team dropped a tight 1-0 decision to Vermont on Friday afternoon. The teams combined for just 11 total shots and four total saves as both sides limited offensive chances throughout the contest. Catamount sophomore Clodagh Ferry tallied the lone goal on a corner in the fourth quarter to give Vermont (4-4) the lead. Lancer forward Olivia Wawrzyniak rocketed a shot off the post with just over four minutes remaining, but Longwood (4-3) was unable to find the equalizer before time ran out.

"This was a step up in our performance from previous games," Lancer head coach Iain Byers said. "They were a very tactically aware team and it was a really enjoyable game. Obviously we are disappointed with a loss, but the actual mechanics of the game and how the game panned out made it an enjoyable game to watch.

"There was a lot of strategy to it from both groups, and our team and theirs both adjusted to it very well. We saw a lot better ball movement and a lot more consistency from our players. The score line is unfortunate, but as a reflection of the game, it was always going to be a one goal game—unfortunately it just went against us."

Goalkeeper Katie Wyman made three saves before her stretch of three consecutive shutouts was snapped in the fourth quarter. Dating back to Longwood's game against Georgetown on Sept. 6, Wyman went 238:58 consecutive minutes of game action without conceding a goal. Defensively, she was aided by backline Luna Lopez, Rio Weber, and Clara Meschini, who helped hold Vermont to just six total shots in the game, including just three across the opening three quarters.

"It's a team effort," said the two-time All-MAC performer Wyman. "If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't have allowed one goal in the last four games—it might have been four or five. The defense has been killing it. Even though we lost today, they have been really good all season. We had to work on our outlets, which we fixed and has looked good. The forwards and midfielders are getting back and helping me out as well—it's a team effort."

Wawrzyniak led the Lancers with two of the five total shots for Longwood. Freshman Caroline Verhappen, making her second straight start, got to a loose ball after Wawrzyniak's fourth quarter shot ricocheted off the post, but she pushed her shot just wide of the Catamount goal.

Vermont's goal came at the 53:26 mark of the fourth quarter. Junior midfielder Peppe Haantjes received a pass out of a penalty corner and slid it to Ferry, who ripped a one-time shot past Wyman for the game-winning strike.

The Lancers have another game this weekend, as they will host the #5 Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field. The game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.

#GoWood