BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — The Longwood women's soccer team controlled much of the action Saturday, but a first-half penalty kick proved to be the difference as Gardner-Webb edged the Lancers 1-0 at Greene-Harbison Field in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The Lancers (6-9-2, 3-5-0 Big South) outshot Gardner-Webb 20-5 and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks but could not find an equalizer against goalkeeper Abril Montiel, who made eight saves to preserve the shutout.
Gardner-Webb (6-9-2, 3-4-1) scored the match's lone goal in the 34th minute when Zoe Marque converted a penalty kick.
Longwood generated consistent pressure throughout the match, putting eight shots on goal. Peyton Curney led the Lancers with six shots and three on target, while Coryn Silberstein added three shots and two on goal.
"We played with great effort," Longwood head coach Todd Dyer said. "We played some great soccer. We are disappointed in the result. We are excited to play in postseason next week."
The Lancers came close to leveling the match in the second half when Sam Fischer's shot in the 72nd minute struck the left post. Longwood continued to push forward but was unable to break through over the final minutes.
Brynn Clagett made three saves in goal for Longwood.
The loss concludes the regular season for the Lancers, who finished with a 6-9-2 overall record and a 3-5 mark in Big South play. The win for the Runnin' Bulldogs cemented the fifth seed in the upcoming Big South tournament.
Longwood earned the No. 6 seed and will travel to High Point Thursday to play the third-seeded Panthers in a Big South first-round match at 7 p.m. from Vert Stadium on ESPN+.
