September 25, 2005

BOX SCORE

WASHINGTON, D.C.. -- Longwood University dropped a 6-1 field hockey road decision at American University Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C.. American is currently ranked fourth in the STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll. The Lancers dropped to 2-6 on the season, while the Eagles improved to 8-0. Longwood will play again on Wednesday, September 28, at the University of Virginia. Game time is slated for 5:00 p.m..

American dominated the first half, scoring four unanswered goals. Maggie Hall gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead at the 8:19 mark when she scored off an assist by Heidi Hershberger. American then added goals at the 15:03 mark and the 17:45 mark to push its lead to 3-0. Shannon Goans accounted for the Eagles second goal, while Hall tallied her second goal of the half. Javiera Villagra closed out the first half scoring with an unassisted goal at 23:52.

Longwood came out fast in the second stanza, scoring just 3:46 into the half. Senior Sarah Hitchings/Virginia Beach (Kempsville), who scored off a penalty corner, notched her second goal of the season. Junior Katy Lernihan/Fredericksburg (Chancellor) and sophomore Cristin Newbold/Norfolk (Maury) were credited with the double-assist.

Longwood was unable to get any closer though as the Eagles scored two goals in the final 25 minutes to earn the 6-1 victory.  

“It was unrealistic to expect a winning result against the fourth-ranked team in the nation,” said eighth-year head coach Nancy Joel. “What we did expect and what we did see was development in our players and in our game. We saw great development in our defense and in the way we moved the ball quickly. I am very pleased with the team and the effort they put forth.”

American held the 24-3 advantage in shots and the 9-2 edge in penalty corners. Sophomore goalkeeper Avanell Schmitz/Newport News (Denbigh) finished the game making five saves for the Lancers.