PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Longwood field hockey ended its 2021 spring season with back-to-back shutouts and a four-game winning streak. Four months later, the Lancers picked up right where they left off.
 
In their 2021 fall opener Friday night at Buckley Field, a shutdown performance from the backfield and a game-winning goal from senior Kolbey Donahue powered a 1-0 road win over Drexel that extended the Lancers' win streak to five and shutout streak to three games.
 
Anchored by a four-save performance from senior goalkeeper Madison Nuckols and a stifling effort from the backline, Longwood (1-0) limited Drexel (0-1) to just eight shots on the night. That backline, led by All-MAC first-teamer Luna Lopez and fellow starters Donahue and Caroline Verhappen, let only four of those on target, all of which Nuckols knocked away.
 
The clean sheet was enough to make a third-quarter penalty corner goal from Donahue stand as the game-winner and secured the Lancers a season-opening win for the fifth time in the past six seasons.
 
"We are very proud of our first team performance," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers, who opened his 14th season as the Lancers' head coach Friday.
 
"Drexel is a strong team that moved the ball around very well. We were resilient in our defense and took advantage of our opportunities. It was a great start to the season. We have a lot to learn and a lot to improve on, but we're excited to do so."
 
That resiliency from Longwood's backline also held Drexel's All-CAA first team forward Eline di Leva without a shot for only the second time in her collegiate career.
 
Meanwhile, Longwood's offense generated 16 shots with sophomore Kate Frey taking a team-high four of those. Longwood's lone goal came off a penalty corner that led to a setup pass from Lopez that Donahue finished off for the first Lancer goal of the season.
 
"Today we played a good game and fought as a team," said Donahue, whose goal was her first game-winner. "Drexel's a great team, but we prevailed together to pull it out. We held our own, and we're just getting started."
 
The win opens a two-game road trip to the Keystone State for the Lancers, who will head to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh Sunday at 11 a.m.

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