October 18, 2008

 

 
BOONE, N.C. – The Longwood University field hockey team defeated Appalachian State 3-2 on Saturday, courtesy of late game heroics from junior Jessie Mantel/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne). Longwood improves to 7-8 on the season, while Appalachian State falls to 2-12. The Lancers return to action on Sunday, October 19 at 11 a.m., taking on Pacific in a neutral site match hosted by Appalachian State.

            
The first half belonged to the Lancers with the team outshooting Appalachian State 10-1, while having a 6-1 advantage in corners.

The Lancers got off to a quick start, jumping on the board in the fourth minute when junior Julia Hernandez/Norfolk (Maury) and senior Carra Bunner/Virginia Beach (Kempsville) hooked up for the teams first goal. The play began with the Lancers applying high pressure on the Mountaineers, keeping them locked in their own defensive end. Bunner took the ball to net before cutting it back to a wide open Hernandez, who buried the ball in the back of the net.

Six minutes later junior Melissa Strickland/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) put the Lancers up 2-0. Strickland created her own chance, dribbling past the Appalachian defense and catching the Mountaineer keeper in a one-versus-one situation. The Mountaineer keeper came out of her box, but was unable to stop Strickland who dribbled past her, finding the back of the net.

The game proved to be a tail of two halves, with the Mountaineers coming out in the second half with control of the game. The shot count evened in the second half with Appalachian State holding an 8-5 advantage.

The Mountaineers earned a goal back in the 52^nd minute with a goal for Jessie Harris. Harris would help Appalachian State even things up just minutes later, assisting Kelly Allaband in the 60^th minute.

Both teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the game in search of the game winning goal. Each side had their opportunities but the Lancers were the team that was able to take advantage of their chances for the victory.

The Lancers game winning goal came in the 68^th minute after senior Carla Binnewies/Hamburg, Germany (Carl von Ossietzkly Gymnasium) dished the ball across the circle to Mantel, who was open on the near post. Mantel remained composed while slotting the ball past the Appalachian State keeper.

The Mountaineers came close to trying the game with 30 seconds left in the game, but the Lancers defense found a way to hold them off.

Senior goalkeeper Erin West/Stafford (North Stafford) played the first half of the game, recording one save. Sophomore Erin Bollinger/Midlothian (Clover Hill) came in for the Lancers in the second half, making three saves.  

"We started off very well," head coach Iain Byers said. "We need to work on our ability to close out games. We need to maintain our momentum throughout the entire game, not just part of it. Overall it was good to get a victory and we look to carry it to the next game."