FARMVILLE, Va. - The 2008 season didn’t get started the way that the team had anticipated, with the young Lancer squad dropping their first two games, falling to Lock Haven 5-1, before dropping a 4-1 contest to Bucknell. Despite the losses Longwood showed its promise, dominating the second halves of both games and outshooting both of their opponents.
The Lancer come home for an action packed weekend of field hockey. The team finished last season 4-5 at home, which included victories over Radford and Appalachian State. The Lancers started things off right this season, taking out Christopher-Newport in an exhibition game at the Athletics Complex on August 23.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Sept. 4 - Longwood vs. California, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 - Longwood vs. Appalachian State, 10 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 - Longwood vs. Vermont, 12:30 p.m.
WHO TO WATCH: Freshman Amanda Babineau/Stafford (Mountain View) scored the Lancers lone goal in the Lock Haven game, establishing herself as one of the the teams offensive presences to look out for. Classmate Olga Knop/Berlin Germany/Wener-von-Siemens-Gymnasium) picked up her first collegiate assist against Bucknell, helping the Lancers earn a goal off of a corner. In all four of the Lancers six freshmen made their college debuts during last weekends trip to Lewisburg, Pa.
The upper classmen got into the act on Sunday, with senior Carla Binnewies/Hamburg, Germany (Carl von Ossietzkly Gymnasium) scoring the only Lancer goal during the Bucknell game. Junior Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Maury) recieved her first assist of the season against Lock Haven, while sophomore Lauren Van de Kamp/Midlothian (Trinity Episcopal) helped Knop assist Binnewies on her goal.
SERIES?RECORD:
Longwood vs. California:?0-3
Longwood vs. Appalachian State: 13-5
Longwood vs. Vermont: First meeting
LAST?MEETING:
Longwood vs. California: The Lancers fell to the Golden Bears 8-0
Longwood vs. Appalachian State: Longwood edged out Appalachian State 2-1
QUOTABLE:?
Head Coach Iain Byers on last week: We struggled to find our way in the first half of each game. At this level that’s always going to make things more difficult. However I am proud of the way our team responded out of the locker room, dominating the second halves, but we need to find a way to put away our chances. We’re still a fairly young side, so I?think we’ll only continue to improve as the season moves forward.
Byers on this weekend: It’s going to be a very busy weekend for us. This will give us our first taste of what to expect from the NorPac Tournament. I believe that we have a very good shot of having a great weekend. We are looking to improve and carry some momentum out of this weekend.
Week #1: August 25-September 1
