LYNCHBURG, Va. – Longwood field hockey once again refused to go away, and once again the team went into overtime. The Lancers (4-9) pushed 19
th-ranked Liberty to overtime, but the Flames (9-5) narrowly edged Longwood 2-1.
Zoe Tierney scored the equalizer for Longwood in the fourth quarter as the Lancers forced overtime for the sixth time in 13 matches this season, but Martu Cian one-timed the game winner for Liberty in overtime.
SCORE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
FINAL |
LWU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
#19 LIB |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
29:17 | LIB—Tuti Dell Anna (8), assist Dara Semmartin
46:44 | LWU—
Zoe Tierney (5) penalty stroke
62:18 | LIB—Martu Cian (6), assist Lou Combrinck
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Longwood played defensively throughout the contest, fending off a high-octane Liberty attack. Freshman goalkeeper
Sophie Mooldijk registered a career high 16 saves in her finest performance to date. She has made at least 10 saves in a match three times this season and has now done so in back-to-back contests.
Mooldijk, combined with a defensive steadfastness, allowed the Lancers to weather a second quarter that saw Liberty register 12 of the team's 32 shots. Mooldijk made six saves in the process, and, despite Tuti Dell Anna's goal on a penalty corner, Longwood was still in the match at the half, down 1-0.
Neither side could break through in the third, and Longwood earned a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter. Tierney didn't miss, and the Lancers tied the match at one apiece. For Tierney, it was her fifth goal of the season.
The score stayed there until overtime, when Cian put home the winner from Lou Combrinck.
WHAT THEY SAID:
"Another tough overtime loss," said Longwood Head Coach
Miranda Rigg. "Liberty is a great and fast team, and they are ranked 19
th for a reason. I'm really proud of the fight our girls had today. Even after Friday's double OT and missing a number of starters, they fought together and did some great things versus a good team. It's promising to see the growth we continue to make."
UP NEXT:
Longwood returns to action on Friday, October 25 when the team heads to Appalachian State for a MAC matchup. First push is set for 6 p.m.
#GoWood #HorsePower