SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The three-headed monster of Riley McDonald, Emily Cate Smith and Sophia Passa combined for a whopping 11 goals and eight assists, and Longwood lacrosse stayed unbeaten in Big South play. The Lancers (5-6, 3-0 Big South) took down Wofford 15-11.
 
While the tremendous trio did work on offense, freshman goalkeeper Cybella Smith also came on and made nine saves after halftime to clean up whatever got by Julia Koenig, Miranda Helfenbein and co. Longwood is now undefeated through three games in Big South play for the first time since 2014.
 
Top LWU Performers:
Riley McDonald: 4G, 4A, 1CT
Emily Cate Smith: 3G, 4A, 1GB
Sophia Passa: 4G, 2GB, 1CT
Julia Koenig: 2GB, 7DC
Miranda Helfenbein: 4GB, 5DC, 4CT
Cybella Smith: 9SV, 5 GA
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
While Wofford (3-7, 0-2 Big South) struck first, Riley McDonald keyed Longwood's response in the first quarter with two of her four goals. She scored to tie things up and then again for a 3-1 lead with one minute to play in the quarter. She finished the game with a career best eight points with four goals and four assists.
 
Wofford responded with a big second quarter, and the Terriers had both Ella Bartlett and Addison Witkowski in the final two minutes to take a 6-5 lead at the half.
 
Longwood responded in the third quarter, three players scored for Longwood, and Claire Libby gave the team a 9-8 lead off a feed from Smith to head into the fourth quarter.
 
Smith then powered home her second goal of the match to start the fourth quarter, and then Passa ripped off three straight goals for Longwood. Her third goal of the quarter, and fourth of the match, gave Longwood a 13-9 lead.
 
McDonald rifled home free position, and Smith added one more.
 
Meanwhile, the defense made sure that Longwood doubled up Wofford, outscoring the Terriers 10-5 after halftime. Cybella Smith came on for the second half in goal and posted nine saves, a career best.
 
WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"What a great road win for the team today," said Longwood Head Coach Kylar Ferguson. "They played well, stuck together and fought through the fourth. I'm very proud of the team. This is what they have been working for since September. There is more work to be done. It is time once more to protect the Smurf on Saturday. Go Wood!"
 
UP NEXT:
 
Longwood returns home to host Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. The match will air on ESPN+ live from Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field.
 
#GoWood #HorsePower