October 11, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University field hockey team (6-7) snapped its three game losing streak on Saturday afternoon, after defeating VCU (4-9) at the Athletics Complex, 2-0. Senior Carla Binnewies/Hamburg, Germany (Carl von Ossietzkly Gymnasium) scored the Lancers insurance goal in the second half of action, taking her season total to 10. Longwood returns to action on October 16, traveling to Charlottesville for a match up with Virginia at 6 p.m.
   
“It was good for us to break out of our losing streak,”?head coach Iain Byers said. “The win gives us a lot more confidence after a tough loss last week. VCU?has always been one of our in-state rivals, so it's nice to be able to get a win. We've been working hard in the last couple of years to keep up with them and get results, we're finally at the stage in our development to be able to do that.”
   
The first half of action saw both teams jockeying for control of the game, with neither team able to find their rhythm. Statistically both teams ended the first half tied in shots, with four a piece, corners (three) and saves (two).
   
Despite being even statistically, Longwood was able to take advantage of one of its chances in the 31st minute. Junior Kelsey Turner/Virginia Beach (Tallwood) put the Lancers up 1-0 on a penalty corner, after blasting a shot past the VCU?keeper. Sophomore Lauren Van de Kamp/Midlothian (Trinity Episcopal) and freshman Olga Knop/Berlin, Germany (Wener von Siemens Gymnasium) both assisted on the goal.
   
The second half belonged to the Lancers, who managed to keep the Rams trapped in their end of the field for the majority of the half. Longwood nearly scored on a couple of chances, stringing together several one touch passes that caught the VCU?defense off guard. One of those chances finally paid off in the 55th minute, when junior Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Muary) and Binnewies linked up, sending the VCU?defense scrambling. Binnewies took the ball through the center of the midfield, before pushing the ball to Hernandez who took a couple of touches on the ball, before sending it back to Binnewies. Binnewies took one touch in the circle, before firing a shot past the Rams keeper.
   
“It was good for us to get a win,” Binnewies said. “We did not play our best game of the year, but we managed to come out with a result. Sometimes that all you can do - play hard and take advantage of what chances you do get.”
   
Senior Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford) played 62 minutes for the Lancers coming up with five save