FARMVILLE, Va. — East Tennessee State scored twice in the first half and held off a second-half rally from the Longwood women's soccer team for a 2-1 victory Sunday at the Longwood Athletics Complex.
The Buccaneers improved to 3-1-0, while Longwood fell to 2-3-0.
Reagan Fitzgerald put ETSU on the board in the 18th minute, scoring on a 40-yard strike with an assist from Abbey Hayberg. Jada Cooper doubled the Buccaneers' advantage less than six minutes later, converting a pass from Kassie Estep in the 23rd minute.
Longwood answered early in the second half. Freshman Addie Russell scored in the 60th minute off an assist from Reese Coggeshall, cutting the deficit to 2-1. On the play, Coggeshall collected a bouncing ball after a collision in the midfield. She then found Russell on the edge of the area, who lofted a shot over the outstretched arms of ETSU goalkeeper Addison Yelton. It was Russell's first collegiate goal.
"I hate the way we started the game, but I loved our reaction that followed. We looked timid and were way too defensive early," Longwood head coach Todd Dyer said. "We made some changes after going down two goals and that group made all the difference in the world. In fact, they made a game of it the minute they stepped on the field and were deserving of the goal we got back in the second half. We battled to the end, but ran out of time. If we can start games the way we finished, we will be a lot better off moving forward. And that's exactly what we will need at Richmond this week."
The Lancers continued to pressure ETSU, but could not find the equalizer. Yelton did not record a save, with Longwood putting just one of its seven shots on target.
ETSU finished with nine shots, including three on goal, while Longwood had seven shots and one shot on goal. The Buccaneers also held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Longwood goalkeeper Madie Wessel made one save in 45 minutes of second-half action after Brynn Clagett played the first half.
The Lancers return to action Thursday at Richmond at 5 p.m., on ESPN+.
