Longwood women defeat East Tennessee State 2-1

LONGWOOD DEFEATS VISITING EAST TENNESSEE STATE 2-1

Longwood  Freshman Bridget Bergquist

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 2-1 non-conference women’s soccer victory at home past visiting East Tennessee State University of Atlantic Sun Conference Friday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.  Freshman Bridget Bergquist|Bristow (Brentsville) scored the game-winning goal unassisted in the 69th minute for the Lancers (5-2), and sophomore Samantha Phillips|Chesapeake (Grassfield) added the opening goal in the 22nd minute, assisted by senior captain Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) against the Lady Buccaneers (6-2).  Longwood will play on the road again on Sunday, September 16, at non-league opponent Cleveland State University of the Horizon League in Ohio at 1 p.m.
    
“That’s a fantastic result for our team against a very strong program that has really gotten off to a good start this year,” said 19th year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “We were able to establish some possession early in the game, and after settling in, we found ways to run at their back line and create some chances.  On that note, I thought we let a few of those chances slip away, but Sam and Bridget got the goals we needed in the end.
    
“Defensively, we were solid and the only goal we conceded was an own goal on our part, which happens sometimes when you get pinned in deep and loose balls start banging around your own penalty area.  We’ll enjoy this win for the next few hours and then hop on the bus early tomorrow morning and head for Cleveland State on Sunday.”
    
Longwood and ETSU battled early before Phillips finished a pass in the box from Ottavio to the right post at 21:37.  It was the second goal of the season for Phillips, and the first assist of the fall by Ottavio.  Just prior to the first goal, junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) had just missed on a scoring opportunity when her shot hit the right post but rolled away from the goal area.  It remained 1-0 at the intermission and for 20-plus minutes into the second half before the Lady Bucs were credited with an own goal at 66:35 when a free kick was inadvertently deflected backwards into the net.  Bergquist entered the match off the bench and promptly collected a loose ball in the box and beat the keeper with her shot to the left-side of the net at 68:56 for the game-winner, and her first collegiate goal.
    
Each team took eight shots during the well-played match, and ETSU had a slight 6-5 edge in attempts on goal, though Longwood had an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.  Phillips, Bergquist, and Ottavio were among five Lancers with single shot attempts on goal.  Senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills. E. Godwin)played the duration in front of the net with five saves toward the triumph.
    
Emilee Engelhaupt, Ramey Kerns, and Lucy Goffe each had two shots for ETSU, while keeper Kara Krajentaplayed the duration for the Lady Bucs with three saves.
    
Longwood and ETSU were playing for just the second time in the sport of women’s soccer as the young series is now tied at 1-1.