August 22, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University opened its 2008 women's soccer season with a 2-0 victory past visiting Liberty University Friday night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.  The Lancers (1-0) earned their second-straight win against the Flames (0-1) behind two goals from freshman midfielder Kacie Oliver/Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth).  Longwood will play again on Tuesday, August 26, at Atlantic Sun Conference member Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina beginning at 7 p.m..
   
Against Liberty of the Big South Conference, Longwood scored goals in each half as the first-year newcomer Oliver notched her first collegiate goal at 23:49 on a direct free kick from about 30 yards out on the left side, a ball that sailed over the keeper's head into the back of the net on her first-ever shot attempt as well.  She tallied her second collegiate goal early in the second half at 47:53 on another direct kick, this time from straight away just outside the box at 19 yards on a ball she placed into the upper right corner of the net.  Oliver just missed a three-goal night when her third attempt on another free kick in the second half from a similar location and distance as her first goal was barely stopped by the Flames' goalie.  Junior forward Michelle DeSieno/Centreville (Chantilly) and sophomore defender Kayla Huggins/North Haven, Conn. (North Haven) also had scoring opportunities with respective shots on-goal during the contest played in front of the largest women's soccer crowd ever at the Athletics Complex, estimated at 350-400.
    
Longwood took a 9-6 advantage in shots, including 5-1 in attempts on-goal, while Liberty had a 4-0 edge in corner kicks in a well-played and competitive match.  Redshirt-sophomore keeper Marcia Biddle/Woodbridge (Gar-Field) made one save while playing the duration in front of the net for the Lancers to earn the season-opening shutout.  Karen Blocker played the entire match in front of the net for the Flames as well with three saves.  Longwood had defeated Liberty 1-0 last season in Lynchburg, though the Flames still lead the overall series at 5-2-1.

Following the road contest at Campbell, Longwood returns home to host the University of Richmond at the Athletics Complex this Sunday, August 31, at 7 p.m..  The contest has been designated “Joshua Bolt Day” by the program.  The Lancers defeated the Atlantic 10 Conference-member Spiders 1-0 last October 21 in Farmville as well,  Longwood remains home next week to host VMI of the Big South on Tuesday, September 2, at 7 p.m..