LYNCHBURG, VA – The Longwood Lancers took the #16 Liberty Flames down to the wire in a defensive battle in Lynchburg, but would lose by a score of 3-0. Neither team was able to score throughout the first 45 minutes until a fourth quarter rally from the Flames put them on top to seal the victory.
 
Goals (Assists)
 
46' Liberty: Daniella Rhodes (Reagan Underwood, Bethany Dykema)
52' Liberty: Martu Cian (Daniella Rhodes)
54' Liberty: Emily Dykema (Jodie Conolly)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
Both defenses started strong, with neither Longwood (2-7) or #16 Liberty (6-3) able to push a shot past the net in the first quarter. Lara Van Nunen kept the Lancers in the game early, making a diving stick save on Daniella Rhodes in the first two minutes to keep the match scoreless.
 
The offense picked up a bit in the second quarter for the Lancers, notching two shots and two penalty corners in the frame. Longwood did their part defensively as well to stay in the game, blocking a shot and Van Nunen notching another save to keep the score 0-0 headed into halftime.
 
The third quarter brought much of the same, with both sides registering two shots, none of which came on goal. Longwood finally got a chance late in the third when they earned three penalty corners in a row. Despite this, the Lancers were unable to convert, and the game would remain 0-0 headed into the fourth.

After 45 minutes of deadlock, the tie would finally be broken by Liberty's Rhodes under two minutes into the final quarter to take a 1-0 lead for the Flames. Longwood's deficit grew to two in the 52^nd minute off of a Martu Cian goal from a penalty corner, then three from an Emily Dykema score shortly after. The Lancers were unable to respond, and went on to lose the game 3-0.

WHAT THEY SAID:

"We played some really good hockey today for three quarters," head coach Miranda Rigg said following the loss. "The way we competed doesn't represent it being a 3-0 loss."

"Our work rate to get back and recover after we turned over the ball and winning 50/50 battles was great," said Rigg. "We need to be better at getting attack 25 outcomes and corners."

"Liberty is an amazing team, but the growth we saw from day one to today is remarkable," said Rigg. "This shows that we can play and compete with top teams."
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 
Today's match marks the 12^th time that Longwood matched up against Liberty, with the Flames leading the series by a 8-4 margin.
 
Liberty out-shot Longwood 16 to 10. Longwood outshot the Flames 10-7 through three quarters, but Liberty had nine shots in the fourth.
 
Lara Van Nunen recorded five saves, putting her season total at 40.
 
Maroussia Walckiers and Kolbey Donahue led the Lancers in shots with two apiece.

Eight Longwood players recorded a shot in the match.
  
Liberty's seven corners bested Longwood's five in the match.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Lancers will travel to Louisville, KY to face the Bellarmine Knights on Saturday, October 1^st. First touch is scheduled for 12 p.m.

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