Longwood Women's Soccer Week 6 Recap

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood split its first two Big South Conference road matches last week, winning 2-0 at Charleston Southern on September 27, before a 2-0 loss at Coastal Carolina on Sept. 29.  The Lancers are 8-4 overall, 3-1 in the Big South, and have already surpassed their win total from last season (7-7-4), while enjoying their finest season start since 2002 (9-2-1).  Longwood will play two conference home contests this week at the Athletics Complex in Farmville against Winthrop University on Thursday, October 4, at 5:30 p.m. (this is a time change from original schedule), and Gardner-Webb University on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m.

Recapping CSU
Longwood took control early when junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage), last week’s Big South Conference Attacking Player of the Week, scored her fifth goal of the season in the 18th minute with a shot to the upper right corner while assisted by sophomore Kelsey McDonald|Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville).  Pardue contributed her fourth assist this fall when she played a long through ball into the box to freshman Haylea Witz|Chesapeake (Grassfield) who finished successfully in the 37th minute.  It was the second goal this year for Witz, and also the second assist for McDonald.  Senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) took care of the rest for the Lancers, making three saves en route to her fourth shutout this season, and the 11th shutout of her career.  Longwood and Charleston Southern were playing for the ninth time, and the Lancers now lead the series, 5-4.

Quoting Head Coach Todd Dyer
“That being our first road test, we felt pretty good about the result. We had a good start in terms of our ball movement and that helped us settle in and get that critical first goal … and the way we defended, that one was all we needed.”

Recapping CCU
It was scoreless at the intermission before Coastal Carolina scored the first goal in the 61st minute, and the Chanticleers added a late insurance goal in the 87th minute.  Longwood and Coastal Carolina were playing for the sixth time, and the Chanticleers now lead the series, 5-1.

Quoting Head Coach Todd Dyer
“Looking back on the whole 90 minutes, Coastal Carolina deserved that result.  They put us under a lot of pressure and we just didn’t deal with it well enough.  Offensively, we weren’t a consistent threat and that freed up their backs to get forward and create problems for us.  We are capable of playing at a higher level and we have to show that against a strong Winthrop squad.”

Leading The Lancers
Kelsey Pardue leads Longwood in scoring through 12 matches with her five goals and four assists totaling 14 points.  Senior captain Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) adds two goals and three assists for seven points.  Sophomores Kylie Dyer|Farmville (Prince Edward County) (2g), Kelsey McDonald (1g, 2a) and Samantha Phillips|Chesapeake (Grassfield) (2g), along with Haylea Witz (2g) each contribute four points.  Senior Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover), as well as freshmen Bridget Bergquist|Bristow (Brentsville) and Alana Mackey|Leesburg (Loudoun County) each add one goal for two points apiece.  Sophomore Taylor Cave|Virginia Beach (Kellam) and freshman Olivia Colella|Herndon (Chantilly) each have one assist totaling one point. Kyra Byron has played 961 minutes in front of the net while allowing 11 goals (1.03) with 43 saves (.796) and 4.33 shutouts.  Junior keeper Shelby Hall|Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) has played 123 minutes in front of the net while allowing three goals (2.20) with nine saves (.750) and 0.33 shutouts.  Redshirt-sophomore Dana Wallace|Charlottesville (Home Schooled) has played 12 minutes in front of the net with 0.33 shutouts.

Coaching Milestone: 200 Career Wins
Todd Dyer, enjoying his 19th year as the founder and head coach of the Longwood women’s soccer program, now has an overall record of 201-123-20, including 14 winning seasons. A former standout midfielder at Longwood, he served as a team captain for two years and scored 15 goals during his four years, earning All-Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association (VISA) honors as a senior.  A native of Manassas, Dyer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Longwood in 1993.  He also coached the Longwood men’s soccer program for seven years (1996-2002), compiling a record of 75-53-7.

Quoting Head Coach Todd Dyer
“200 is a nice milestone and what it really reflects is that I’ve been fortunate to do what I love, at a place I love, for a long, long time. I’m blessed to have had the privilege of working with so many great people these past 19 years.  Our program’s future is very bright due to all of their hard work.”

Big South … Here We Are
Longwood has completed the non-league portion of its schedule and will play only Big South matches the rest of the season.  The Lancers play 11-straight Big South contests from Sept. 20 to Oct. 23.  The Big South Conference Tournament will include the top eight teams playing quarterfinal matches at the four highest seeds on Oct. 27, followed by semifinal matches on November 2 and the tournament championship contest on Nov. 4, hosted by Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

NCAA/Big South Statistics
Longwood ranked 65th in Division I winning percentage (.667) through Sept. 30, and 70th in shutout percentage (.417).  Kelsey Pardue ranked 11th in game-winning goals (4), 116th in assists (4), 118th in points (14) and 141st in goals (5).  Kyra Byron ranked 108th in goals-against average (1.03), 114th in save percentage (.796) and 148th in minutes (961). In Big South matches (4), the Lancers are first in goals-against-average (0.74), tied for first in shutouts (2), second in home attendance (432), tied for third in assists (6-1.5), while fifth in goals (8-2.0) and points (22-5.5).  Kelsey Pardue ranks first in goals (4-1.0), game-winning goals (3) and points (11-2.75), and is tied for first in assists (3-.75).  Kyra Byron ranks first in goals-against average (0.84) and is tied for third in save percentage (.800) and shutouts (.25).  Lindsey Ottavio is tied for fourth in assists (2-0.50).

Big South Conference/Attacking Player Of The Week
Kelsey Pardue was named the Big South Conference Attacking Player Of The Week Sept. 25 for her efforts during the 4-0 home win against UNC Asheville on Sept. 20 and the 2-1 overtime home win against Presbyterian on Sept. 22. She is Longwood’s third Big South Player of the Week (see below).  Pardue scored three goals -- two game-winners -- and added two assists to lead Longwood to a pair of Big South wins.  She was involved in all four scores against UNC Asheville, scoring the first and game-winning goal in the fourth minute with a hard shot into the net after a feed into the box.  Pardue returned the favor when she fed the ball in from the left side on the game’s second goal in the 12th minute, and added another assist as she played a through-ball in for a successful shot in the 19th minute.  She completed the scoring outburst when she got free down the middle of the field and beat the keeper one-on-one in the 21st minute.  Pardue capped her outstanding week with the game-winning goal in OT against Presbyterian.  She tallied the game-winner in the 105th minute when she dribbled up the middle through traffic and shot successfully to the right upper 90.  The talented third-year starter now totals 13 goals and 16 assists for 42 points in her career.  Pardue was also named the College Sports Madness Big South Player of the Week.

Big South Conference Defensive Player Of The Week
Kyra Byron was named the Big South Conference Defensive Player Of The Week Sept. 11 for her effort during a 1-0 shutout road victory at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County on Sept. 9.  She is Longwood’s second Big South Player of the Week.  Byron posted six saves for the Lancers against the Retrievers with five of her saves in the second half, including four after Longwood had taken a one-goal advantage.  It was the third shutout in six matches this season for Byron, the fourth-year team member who now totals 10 shutouts in her career to rank sixth all-time.

Big South Conference/Attacking Player Of The Week
Lindsey Ottavio was named the Big South Conference Attacking Player Of The Week August 28 for her effort during the 2-1 double-overtime home win past Richmond on August 24.  She is Longwood’s first Big South Player of the Week since the school joined the conference on July 1.  Ottavio scored two unassisted goals, including the game-winner just 50-seconds into the second extra period to lead the Lancers (3-1) past the Spiders.  She scored her first goal in the 65th minute, taking the ball through the middle of the box while beating both a defender and the keeper with a shot to the left side of the net at 64:35.  Ottavio finally ended the well-played match at 100:50 when she took a loose ball in the box and once again beat the keeper with a hard shot to the left side for the sudden victory.  The second-year team captain has eight game-winning goals in her career.  Ottavio was also named the College Sports Madness Big South Player of the Week.

Big South Network
Longwood produced its first-ever Big South Network live video-streamed broadcast against UNC Asheville Sept. 20. The Big South Network is the official video provider for all Big South Conference games. Each member institution is required to produce broadcasts for home events to be streamed via the conference network. The Lancers will stream three women’s soccer matches this fall, including the matches against visiting Winthrop University (Oct. 4) and Virginia Military Institute (Oct. 20).  The Big South Network has an archive of on-demand videos that can be viewed for free.  A paid subscription is required to view live events, with both single-game and season passes available.  You can view the Longwood Lancers TV page to watch all of the Lancers’ webcasts and see a schedule of upcoming events by visiting www.longwoodlancers.com or www.bigsouthsports.com.

In The Record Book
Kyra Byron ranks second in career goals against average (0.87), and fifth in minutes (3524) among keepers at Longwood, allowing just 34 goals.  Lindsey Ottavio ranks in a tie for third in career goals (24), and is tied for fifth in career points (58).

No Place Like Home
Longwood is now 45-15-2 (.758) on its home turf at the Athletics Complex since beginning competition at the facility in 2006.  The Lancers, 5-1 at home this season, are 38-14-1 (.726) in Farmville since attaining its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007.

2012 Captains
Lindsey Ottavio is serving as a team captain for the second consecutive season, while senior Natalie Massey|Virginia Beach (Landstown) is in the team leadership role for the first time.

Youth Being Served
Ten freshmen and/or sophomores have made starts through the opening 10 matches.  The Lancers have nine true sophomores and 10 true freshmen among their 28-player roster, and overall, 18 of them have seen action this season.

The Coaching Staff
Head coach Todd Dyer ’93 is in his 19th year leading Longwood and is assisted by associate head coach Steve Brdarski, in his ninth season, along with student assistant Rachel Powers ’14.  Coach Dyer enters this week with a career coaching record of 201-123-20.

Up Next Week
Longwood will go back on the road for two Big South matches in North Carolina at Campbell University on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m., before playing at High Point University on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m.

Longwood Women Shutout Charleston Southern, 2-0

LONGWOOD WINS BIG SOUTH ROAD OPENER AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 2-0

Longwood Sophomore Kelsey McDonald

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Longwood University won its third consecutive Big South Conference women’s soccer match Thursday afternoon, and first league game on the road, taking a 2-0 win at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, South Carolina.  Junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) scored the game-winning goal in the 18th minute for the Lancers (8-3, 3-0 Big South), assisted by sophomore Kelsey McDonald|Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville), and freshman Haylea Witz|Chesapeake (Grassfield) added the second goal against the Buccaneers (3-6-1, 1-2 Big South), assisted by Pardue.  Senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) posted the shutout.  Longwood will play again on Saturday, September 29, remaining on the road at Big South member Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina at 1 p.m.
  
“That being our first road test, we feel pretty good about the result,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “We had a good start in terms of our ball movement and that helped us settle in and get that critical first goal … and the way we defended today, that one was all we needed.  Now it’s time to move on to Coastal.”
  
Longwood took control early at CSU when Pardue, this week’s Big South Conference Attacking Player of the Week, scored her fifth goal of the season at 17:32 with a shot to the upper right corner while assisted by McDonald.  Pardue, who had three goals and two assists in two conference matches last week, contributed her fourth assist this fall when she played a long through ball into the box to Witz who finished successfully at 36:41.  It was the second goal this year for Witz, and also the second assist earlier for McDonald.  Byron took care of the rest for the Lancers, making three saves en route to her fourth shutout this season, and the 11th shutout of her career.
  
Longwood took a 20-10 advantage in shots, and it was 10-3 in attempts on goal, while a 5-1 margin on corner kicks.  Pardue had five shots, one on goal, and freshman Olivia Colella|Herndon (Chantilly) added three shots, two on goal, to lead Longwood.  As mentioned, Byron played the duration in front of the net with three saves and the shutout for the Lancers.
  
Gina Cox had three shots for CSU, while keeper Caitlin Cody played the duration for the Buccaneers with eight saves.
  
Longwood and Charleston Southern were playing for the ninth time in the sport of women’s soccer, and the Lancers now lead the closely-played series, 5-4.

Longwood Men fall to Campbell, 1-0

LONGWOOD DROPS 1-0 DECISION TO CAMPBELL

 

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Big South Conference opponent Campbell University (5-2-1, 1-1 BSC), who recorded a last minute goal to seal the victory on Wednesday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) and freshman Mike Durr|Brandon, Miss. (Brandon) led the Lancers (2-7-1, 2-5-1 BSC) with one shot apiece in the outing. Longwood returns to action on Saturday, September 29 when the squad travels to George Washington University for a 1 p.m. tilt.

“We can take heart from the fact that we worked hard and looked the most organized that we have all season,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “To concede with an own goal with seconds to go is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing the character of our lads, I know we will bounce back and continue to improve.”

The teams battled back and forth in the middle of the field early in the game, as neither squad was able to get a shot off until the Camels hit the post on a header in the 19^th minute. Campbell posted three more shots in the first half before the game was delayed over 20 minutes due to a Longwood injury in the 38^th minute of the match. When play resumed, Longwood and Campbell traded possessions until time expired, sending the teams into the break knotted at 0-0.

Coming out of halftime, the Lancers had a chance to get on the board in the 55^th minute when a good cross found Durr inside the box for the redirect, but his shot skidded just right of the net. The stalemate continued through most of the second half, but Campbell’s Mitchell Cardenas took control of the ball with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation and lofted a shot towards the net that hit the crossbar before bouncing off the back of sophomore goalkeeper Paul Hegedus|Ashburn ( Broad Run) and into the goal, securing the slim, 1-0 victory for the Camels.

Campbell outshot Longwood, 9-2, in the outing and forced more corner kicks, 6-2. Wednesday’s match marked the first meeting ever between Longwood and Campbell in the sport of men’s soccer.

Longwood women lose 3-1 at Cleveland State

Longwood  Senior Nikki Glisson

LONGWOOD FALLS ON THE ROAD AT CLEVELAND STATE 3-1

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 3-1 non-conference women’s soccer decision on the road at Cleveland State University of the Horizon League Sunday afternoon in Ohio.  Senior Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover) scored the lone goal for the Lancers (5-3) in the 56th minute, assisted by sophomore Taylor Cave|Virginia Beach (Kellam) against the host Vikings (3-5).  Longwood has now completed the non-league portion of its schedule and will play the first of 11-straight Big South Conference matches against the University of North Carolina-Asheville on Thursday night, September 20, at the Athletics Complex in Farmville at 7 p.m. … admission is free.
    
“We made too many mistakes in our back third today and we paid for that by conceding three goals on the road,” said 19th year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “We possessed the ball well a lot of the time but just didn’t create enough scoring chances.  However, the result serves as a good reality check before conference play starts on Thursday and we will work hard this week to turn today into a positive.”
    
Longwood yielded an early goal at CSU when Erin O’Toole scored on a corner kick, assisted by Vickie Havas at 9:25.  It remained a one-goal advantage for the Vikings at the intermission, before Glisson tied the match at 1-1 with her shot to the far post at 55:06, aided by Cave who played the ball out from the corner.  It was the first goal of the season for Glisson, and the first career assist for Cave.  CSU went ahead for good on an unassisted goal by Chloe Fadenholz at 65:54, and secured the outcome at 80:41 when Havas was successful on a double-assist from Frederike Dubeau and Taylor Vidovic.
    
Cleveland State took a 12-6 advantage in shots, including 9-4 in attempts on goal, though Longwood had a 3-2 edge on corner kicks.  Junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) and freshman Alana Mackey|Leesburg (Loudoun County) each had two shots for the Lancers.  Junior keeper Shelby Hall|Purcellville (Loudoun Valley) made her first start and appearance of the season and played the duration in front of the net for the visitors with six saves.
    
Havas had three shots to lead CSU, while keeper Sarah Wood played the duration for the Vikings with two saves.
    
Longwood and CSU were playing for just the second time in the sport of women’s soccer as the young series is now tied at 1-1.

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.

Longwood men defeat VMI 3-2

LONGWOOD DEFEATS VMI, 3-2

FARMVILLE, Va. -- The Longwood University men’s soccer team defeated Big South Conference opponent VMI (1-4, 0-1), 3-2, on Wednesday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Jonathan Kukapa|Leesburg (Clarksburg Md.) scored the winning goal for the Lancers (2-4, 2-3) in the 83^rd minute to guide his squad to victory. Longwood returns to action on Saturday, September 15, when it travels to High Point University for a 7 p.m. tilt.

“This game had it all, and fortunately for us, it had a happy ending in what was a must-win game,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “I give credit to VMI, who showed true grit throughout and made a good run of it in the second half, as the game opened up. I thought we showed our best and worst tonight, playing some good, composed soccer, and only missed a goal for all the good work. As often happens in this game, just as you are feeling in control, you get hit with a sucker punch. It took a dramatic final 20 minutes to pull this result out of the bag.

“We had some excellent contributions from the starters and from our bench to make this a true team performance.”

Kukapa totaled three points in the outing to lead all scorers. Junior Jared Windt|Haymarket (Battlefield) and freshman Sam Yardley|Fairfax Station (Robinson) each added to the offensive effort with their first-career goals. Anthony Ugorji|Washington, D.C. (Archbishop Carroll) tallied an assist in the contest, as well. Freshman goalkeeper Carl Carpenter|Charlottesville (St. Anne's Belfield School) tallied two saves to record the victory in net for the Lancers.

Longwood controlled the pace of play early, tallying eight shots in the first 45 minutes while not allowing VMI to take any. Neither squad was able to move the net in the first period, but the Lancers came close in the 26^th minute when freshman Christian Keilty|Spotsylvania (Riverbend) fired a hard shot to the right post, but the VMI keeper was able to scoop it up with a sliding save to extinguish the opportunity. Later in the half, senior Devin Pierce|Virginia Breach (Ocean Lakes) headed a cross from senior Adel Sarras|Burke (Annandale), but it sailed just high, hitting the crossbar. In the last five minutes of the first, the Lancers had two chances, as freshman Mike Durr|Brandon, Miss. (Brandon) and Ugorji put shots directly on goal, but the Keydets goalkeeper came up with the saves to send the teams to the locker rooms knotted at 0-0.

Both squads went on the attack coming out of the break, combining for all five of the game’s goals in the second half. VMI broke the match open in the 47^th minute when Kyle Farmer sent a pass to David Rochow, who’s header found its way under the crossbar to give the Keydets a 1-0 advantage.

After more than 27 minutes of scoreless action, Windt was awarded a penalty kick for the Lancers after VMI was issued a yellow card in the 74^th minute. Windt sent his shot high to find the back of the net just over the outstretched fingers of the Keydets’ keeper to make it a 1-1 game.

The Lancers took their first lead of the night less than 30 seconds later, as Kukapa made a pass from the left side of the box that found Yardley near the right post for the header on goal.

In the 79^th minute, the Keydets retaliated to tie the score for the second time in the match. Farmer lobbed a pass to the right side of the goal to set up Blake McCauley, who converted on a diving header.

The Lancers scored what would become the winning goal in the 83^rd minute of play when Ugorji and Kukapa set off on a 2-on-1 breakaway that ended when Ugorji dribbled to the end line and sent a cross in front of the net to Kukapa, who fired into the right side of the net to give Longwood the 3-2 victory.

Longwood outshot VMI, 16-5, in the match. Wednesday’s outing marked the 13^th meeting between the Lancers and the Keydets in the sport of men’s soccer. Longwood now leads the all-time series, 10-3.

Longwood University College Soccer Wrap-Up

LONGWOOD DEFEATED BY LIBERTY, 3-0

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team was defeated, 3-0, by Liberty University (1-1) on Saturday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Tonight’s match marked the first-ever Big South Conference home contest for the Lancers (0-3) since officially joining the league on July 1. The game featured a ceremonial coin flip with former Longwood standout Shane Johnson to honor all of the student-athletes who helped the school attain conference affiliation. The Lancers return to action on Tuesday, September 4, when they host UNC Greensboro of the Southern Conference at 7 p.m. (Read Full Story)

LONGWOOD WOMEN FALL ON THE ROAD AT APPALACHIAN STATE 3-0

Junior Kelsey Pardue

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 3-0 non-conference women’s soccer decision on the road at Appalachian State University of the Southern Conference Sunday afternoon in Boone, North Carolina.  The Lancers (3-2) trailed just 1-0 at the intermission before lightening in the area delayed the start of the second half that witnessed the Mountaineers (2-3) adding two more goals.  Longwood will play again on Sunday, September 9, on the road again at UMBC of the America East Conference in Baltimore, Maryland beginning at 1 p.m. (Read Full Story)

Lancers host Liberty Saturday

LONGWOOD HOSTS FIRST-EVER BIG SOUTH MATCH

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team will host Liberty University in the Lancers’ first-ever home Big South Conference contest on Saturday, September 1 at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Admission is free for all of Longwood’s fall sports home contests.

In an effort to honor all of the student-athletes, coaches and staff that helped Longwood attain Big South affiliation, the men’s soccer team will celebrate the past, as well as look forward to the future, with a ceremonial coin flip before Saturday’s match. Former Longwood standout Shane Johnson, who is now playing for the Richmond Kickers, will serve as the representative for the hundreds of student-athletes who led the way towards this milestone game. The official will be flipping a “challenge coin,” which was used to prove affiliation with ones unit during World War II.

Longwood Notes

·      Longwood is searching for its first win of the 2012 season following a 4-0 loss at No. 17 Coastal Carolina on August 24, and a 2-1 double-overtime loss at Presbyterian on August 28.

·      The Lancers return four starters among 15 letterwinners from last season.

·      Eight true freshmen have logged time for the Lancers so far in 2012. Longwood has 18 underclassmen (11 freshmen, 7 sophomores) on their 26-man roster this season.

·      Six of Longwood’s first seven games are against Big South opponents.

·      Freshman Philip van Berkom leads the Lancers with one goal for two points.

·      Freshman goalkeeper Carl Carpenter has a team-high 12 saves through two games. Carpenter, who came off the bench against Coastal, played the entire 100+ minutes in front of the net for Longwood at Presbyterian.

Scouting Liberty

·      Liberty is 0-1 on the season after dropping a 2-0 decision to North Carolina State.

·      Through one game, Sachem Wilson has a team-high five shots, while Tim Haribson has registered three of his own.

·      Goalkeeper Sam Chappell played all 90 minutes against N.C. State, making three saves and allowing two goals.

Series History

·      Saturday’s match will mark the 18^th meeting all-time between Longwood and Liberty. The Lancers defeated the Flames, 3-1, when they last met a year ago, but Liberty holds a 10-4-3 advantage in the all-time series.

Lancers beat Howard 1-0

Longwood Senior keeper Kyra Byron

LONGWOOD WINS ON THE ROAD AT HOWARD 1-0

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Longwood University took a 1-0 non-conference women’s soccer shutout victory on the road past Howard University of the Great West Conference Monday night in Washington, D.C.  Freshman Haylea Witz|Chesapeake (Grassfield) scored the game-winning goal unassisted in the 69th minute for the Lancers (3-1), who won their second-straight match, while senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills. E. Godwin) posted the shutout.  Longwood will play again on Sunday afternoon, September 2, at Appalachian State University of the Southern Conference in Boone, North Carolina beginning at 12 p.m.
 

“It’s always hard to come here and get a result against Howard,” said 19th year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “Their very well organized and very stubborn on defensive.  Offensively, we were dangerous and created chances, and all it takes is one and we got that.  Defensively, we’re on the road and we earned a shutout ... it’s always tough at Howard.” 

Longwood and Howard battled scoreless through the first 45 minutes, and through about half of the second half before Witz collected a deflected shot on the far post and beat the keeper to the top left corner at 68:16.  The Lancers had missed on a penalty kick opportunity about five minutes earlier in the 64th minute after a player was dragged down in the box.
 

Longwood took a 17-6 advantage in shots, including 5-1 in attempts on goal, and the Lancers had a 7-1 edge in corner kicks too.  Junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) had seven shots, one on goal, and senior Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover) had her three shots, one on goal for Longwood.  Byron played the duration in front of the net for the Lancers with one save for her ninth career shutout.
 

Nia Walcott had two shots, one on goal, to lead Howard while Kyra Dickinson played the duration for the Bison with four saves.
 

Longwood and Howard were playing for the 13th time in the sport of women’s soccer, and the Lancers lead the series, 11-2.

Longwood Women beat Richmond in Double OT 2-1

Lindsey Ottavio, photo credit: Red Rocket Photos

LONGWOOD DEFEATS VISITING RICHMOND IN SECOND OVERTIME 2-1

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 2-1 non-conference women’s soccer double-overtime home victory past the visiting University of Richmond from the Atlantic 10 Conference Friday night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.  Senior captain Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) scored both goals unassisted for the Lancers (2-1), including the exciting game-winner just 50-seconds into the second extra period.  Ottavio scored her first goal in the 65th minute after the hosts and Spiders (0-3) were scoreless at the intermission.  Longwood will play again on Monday night, August 27, at Howard University of the Great West Conference in Washington, D.C. beginning at 7 p.m.
    
“It’s always exciting to win on a golden goal and to do it against Richmond, one of the strongest teams we face all year, makes it that much more special,” said 19th year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “The first half was relatively even, though we definitely had to weather the storm defensively in the second half.  But even with all of their possession, it took a set piece for them to break us down.
    
“Otto was an absolute force tonight on both goals, and simply would not be denied.  She deserves her hero status for the night.”
    
Longwood and Richmond battled scoreless through the first 45 minutes, and through nearly 20 minutes of the second half before Ottavio took the ball through the middle of the box while beating a defender and the keeper with a shot to the left side of the net at 64:35.  The Spiders, however, controlled most of the action for the remainder of the period and finally moved the net on a header by Ashley Williams from a corner kick by Natalie LeClair in the 78th minute.  It was 1-1 following 90 minutes of regulation, and it remained that way after the first 10-minute overtime session.  Ottaviofinally ended the well-played match successfully for the Lancers at 100:50 when she took a loose ball in the box and once again beat the keeper with a hard shot to the left side for the sudden victory.
    
Richmond took a 17-8 advantage in shots, including 10-5 in attempts on goal, and the Spiders had an 8-3 edge in corner kicks too.  Junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) had three shots, two on goal, and Ottavio had her two shots, on goal for Longwood.  Senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills. E. Godwin) played the duration in front of the net for the Lancers with nine saves.
    
LeClair had four shots, three on goal, to lead Richmond while Andrea Young played the duration for the Spiders with three saves.
    
Longwood and Richmond were playing for the seventh time in the sport of women’s soccer, and the Spiders still lead the close series, 3-2-2.