Impact coach Rich Stoneman named Longwood Women's Assistant

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University 20th-year women's soccer head coach Todd Dyer has announced the appointment of Rich Stoneman as his new assistant coach.  This summer, Stoneman coached the Fredericksburg Impact of the W-League, Women’s Pro-Am Soccer, to a fourth-place finish in the Northeastern Conference; the team included former Lancers’ standout Lindsey Ottavio.  He served as an assistant coach at Pfeiffer University during 2012, while also working as the college coordinator at the Charlotte (N.C.) Soccer Academy (CSA).  Stoneman has previous Division I coaching experience at Big South Conference member Coastal Carolina University (2010-11, women’s assistant, volunteer men’s assistant), East Carolina University (2007-09, women’s assistant), Louisiana Tech University (2004-06, women’s assistant) and Baylor University (2001-02, volunteer women’s assistant).
   
“We’re very excited and fortunate to have Rich Stoneman joining our staff this fall,” said Dyer.  “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and our players will benefit greatly as a result of these qualities.  He has an extensive goalkeeping background, but he’s motivated and qualified to do so much more, especially on the recruiting side of things.  His energy and personality is contagious and he will have an immediate and significant impact on our soccer program, athletic department and university.”
    

Longwood Women Receive NSCAA Team Academic Award

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's soccer team has once again been named as a recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award.  This is the fourth consecutive year that the Lancers have attained this prestigious team academic honor with their overall team GPA of 3.41 attained during the 2011-12 academic year, as recognized by the NSCAA.  The NSCAA recently honored 504 intercollegiate women's programs from all Divisions that posted team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher for the most recent academic year.  Longwood was just outside the Top 40 in Division I that was led by Western Michigan University (3.65), along with Lafayette College, Providence College and the University of Idaho tying in the 39th spot at 3.45.
   
“This award is not only a reflection of the importance that our team places on academics, but it is a credit to the commitment and hard work our student-athletes demonstrate on a daily basis inside the classroom,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93.  “Our teaching faculty and academic support staff also deserve recognition for enabling and empowering our student-athletes to achieve so much in the academic environment.  It is only fitting that our success on the soccer field this year is accompanied by such an important team honor.”
   
Longwood finished 2012 with a final record of 13-6-2, including 8-2-1 in its first season of Big South competition, tying for second place during the regular season, and advancing to the conference tournament semifinals.  The Lancers posted their highest win total as a Division I program while enjoying their finest season since 2002 (15-3-1), also equaling the sixth-highest win total in the 19-year history of the program.

VIDEO: Longwood's win in the Big South Conference Women's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals

via LongwoodULancers on YouTube:

Recap of Longwood's win in the Big South Conference Women's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals on Oct. 27, 2012. Interview with Coach Todd Dyer and game summary including video highlights.

Longwood Hosting Big South Conference Women's Soccer Quarterfinal Saturday

LONGWOOD TO HOST BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINAL SATURDAY

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will host a Big South Conference Women’s Soccer Championshipquarterfinal match on Saturday, October 27, against Liberty University at the Athletics Complex in Farmville at 6 p.m.  The Lancers, who have a record of 13-5-1 overall, 8-2-1 in the Big South, are the number three seed in the eight-team tournament.  The Flames, who have a record of 11-7-2 overall, 5-4-2 in the Big South, are the number six seed.  Longwood and Liberty will be meeting for the second time in five days after the Lancers’ 1-0 road win against the Flames in the regular-season finale on Tuesday in Lynchburg.  The postseason Big South Championship event includes ticket prices of $4 for adults and $1 for students with an ID.  Admission is free for children ages five and under.

“This is a special opportunity for our program and we earned the right to host with what we accomplished in the regular season,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “Now we hope to capitalize on our home field advantage with the support of our Longwood and Farmville community.  Go Lancers!”
    
The 2012 Big South Women's Soccer Championship quarterfinals will be played at campus sites before moving to Rock Hill, South Carolina for the semifinals and finals on November 2-4.  The quarterfinals and semifinals will air on the Big South Network, with the finals airing on ESPN3.  The Big South Tournament Champion receives an automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
    
High Point University (9-5-6, 8-1-2) is the top seed and will host the eight seed Charleston Southern University (7-10-1, 5-6) on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.  Radford University (11-2-4, 7-0-4) is the number two seed and will host the seven seed Campbell University (10-7-1, 5-6) on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.  Winthrop University (10-6-2, 7-2-2) is the number four seed and will host the five seed Coastal Carolina University (10-8, 7-4) on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.  The conference championship schedule is below.

Saturday, October 27 (Campus Sites)Game 1: #5 Coastal Carolina at #4 Winthrop, 6 p.m.
Game 2: #8 Charleston Southern at #1 High Point, 7 p.m.
Game 3: #7 Campbell at #2 Radford, 7 p.m.
Game 4: #6 Liberty at #3 Longwood, 6 p.m.

Friday, November 2 (Winthrop)Game 5: winner game 1 vs. winner game 2, 4:30 p.m.
Game 6: winner game 3 vs. winner game 4, 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 4 (Winthrop)Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 2 p.m.

Longwood Women Fall at High Point, 2-0

LONGWOOD FALLS ON ROAD AT BIG SOUTH OPPONENT HIGH POINT 2-0


HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Longwood University dropped a Big South Conference women’s soccer match on the road Saturday, falling 2-0 at High Point University in North Carolina.  Meghan Krasnow and Jacky Kessler each scored goals for the host Panthers (7-4-6, 6-0-2 Big South), while Ivy Cocklereece and Jesse May combined for the shutout against the visiting Lancers (11-5, 6-2 Big South).  Longwood will play again on Thursday, October 18, remaining on the road at in-state school and Big South opponent Radford University in Radford at 7 p.m.
    
“We didn’t compete hard enough,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “They put a lot of balls in our penalty.  That’s a formula that doesn’t work well with us.  We deserved what we got today and High Point deserves credit for that.”
    
High Point jumped ahead early when Krasnow scored at 11:36, assisted by Danielle Schepler, and it remained 1-0 at the intermission.  The Panthers added a late insurance goal at 78:09 when Kessler scored from an assist by Kelli Joline.
    
High Point had a 20-7 advantage in shots, including 10-2 in attempts on goal, and it was a 5-2 edge on corner kicks.  Sophomore Samantha Phillips|Chesapeake (Grassfield) had three shots, one on goal, and junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) added two shots, one on goal for Longwood.  Senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the duration for the Lancers with eight saves.
  
Becca Hemby had six shots, four on goal, and Jenny Butler added four shots, two on goal, for High Point.  Cocklereece played the first 45:00 in goal for the Panthers with one save, and May played the final 45:00 with one save.
    
Longwood and High Point were playing for the ninth time in the sport of women’s soccer, and the Panthers still lead the series, 6-1-2.

Longwood Women Shutout Campbell for Third Straigh Victory

BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Longwood University won its third-straight Big South Conference women’s soccer match on Thursday night, taking a 1-0 shutout victory at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.  Freshman Olivia Colella|Herndon (Chantilly) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 16th minute for the Lancers (11-4, 6-1 Big South) against the host Fighting Camels (9-4-1, 4-3 Big South).  Senior Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) had the assist on the lone goal, and senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) gained the shutout in front of the net.  Longwood will play again on Saturday evening, October 13, on the road at Big South opponent High Point University in North Carolina at 5 p.m.

“Tactically, Campbell showed us a few things we hadn’t seen thus far in the season,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “We adapted and showed patience when we had to.  Offensively, we threatened by dribbling at defenders and we got the breakthrough goal in the first half, and that was enough on the day with a hard earned shutout on the road.

“Now we have another challenge to face in a very strong High Point program this Saturday”

Longwood jumped ahead early when Colella scored her first collegiate goal at 15:22, finishing a well-played cross from Ottavio into the back of net.  The Lancers maintained the 1-0 advantage at the intermission, and made it stand for the remainder of the contest as Byron posted her sixth shutout this season.

Longwood had a 13-6 advantage in shots, including 7-2 in attempts on goal, and it was 3-0 on corner kicks.  Colella and junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) each had four shots, two on goal, while Byron played the duration in front for the Lancers with two saves en route to the team’s seventh shutout this season, and the 13th shutout of her career to rank in a tie for fourth all-time.

Caitlin Schneider had three shots, one on goal, for Campbell, while Ryann Torrero played the first 25:14 in goal for the Fighting Camels with three saves and one goal allowed, and Alexis Connors played the final 64:46 with three saves.

Longwood and Campbell were playing for the eighth time in the sport of women’s soccer, and the Fighting Camels still lead the series, 4-3-1.

Longwood equaled its highest win total since 2006 (11-5-3), and continues to enjoy its finest season since 2002 (15-3-1).

Longwood Women Shutout Gardner-Webb, 2-0

LONGWOOD DEFEATS BIG SOUTH OPPONENT GARDNER-WEBB 2-0

Longwood Senior goalkeeper Kyra Byron

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University remained unbeaten at home in Big South Conference women’s soccer action on Saturday afternoon, taking a 2-0 shutout victory past Gardner-Webb University at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.  Sophomore Kelsey McDonald|Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 26th minute for the Lancers (10-4, 5-1 Big South), as the hosts improved to 4-0 in league home matches with the win against the visiting Bulldogs (2-10-1, 1-4-1 Big South).  Junior Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) added a late insurance goal in the 81st minute, as the program attained its 13th 10-win season in the sport’s 19-year history, and senior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) gained the shutout in front of the net.  Longwood will play its next three conference matches on the road, beginning on Thursday, October 11, at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina at 7 p.m.  
    
“We created a lot of chances, especially in the first half, but we could have done much more with our finishing,” said 19th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “The second half was lackluster for us in a lot of areas, but we won’t complain about a 2-0 shutout in conference.”
    
Longwood controlled the match throughout and led 1-0 at the intermission after McDonald scored the opening goal at 25:45, finishing with a hard shot into the back of the net after collecting a loose ball in the left side of the box.  It was McDonald’s third goal this season, and her second goal in two matches, as the Lancers led 1-0 at the intermission despite having a 14-0 advantage in shots.  Pardue, who leads the Big South in scoring with 17 points (six goals, five assists), scored at 80:49 when she collected her own rebound from a saved penalty-kick attempt and promptly placed the ball back into the net for her sixth goal this fall.
    
Longwood had a 22-2 advantage in shots, including 10-2 in attempts on goal, and it was 9-2 on corner kicks.  Pardue had six shots, four on goal, while McDonald added four shots, one on goal.  Byron played the duration in front for the Lancers with two saves en route to her fifth shutout this season, and the 12th shutout of her career to rank sixth all-time.
    
Ashley Carmean and Shelby Hooe each had one shot, on goal, for Gardner-Webb, while Amy Schmitt, who had the PK stop, played the duration for the Bulldogs with eight saves.
    
Longwood and Gardner-Webb were playing for the third time in the sport of women’s soccer, though for the first time since 1998, and the Lancers now lead the series, 2-1.
    
Longwood welcomed back its 2002 team on the 10th anniversary of their Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) Tournament Championship.  The Lancers won the CVAC Championship that season with a 2-0 shutout against Barton College in Belmont, North Carolina.  Longwood finished the 2002 campaign with a final record of 15-3-1 overall, including 10-1-0 in the CVAC, still the second-finest season in the history of the program.  Team members included Brandi Barfield, Holly Belcher, Mikaela Bizer, Mia Capps, Hillary Carney, Melissa Cary, Christine Clay, Teresa Feher, Tiffany Gruschow, Amanda Guckian, Erin Kennedy, Laura Kilmartin, Rachel Krekorian, Stef Langton, Rigel Lockett, April Lockley, Sarah Mathis, Phoebe Munson, Lindsay Naill, Gina Powell, Whitney Raunswinter, Tiffany Rice and Tricia Root.  Coach Dyer was assisted by Juan Bernedo and Kayla Miller.