September 12, 2008

BOX SCORE

BOONE, N.C. -- Longwood University took a thrilling 1-0 women's soccer victory in overtime at Appalachian State University Friday afternoon in Boone, North Carolina.  Playing in the second game of the Mountaineer Invitational, it was the second-straight 1-0 OT triumph for the Lancers and their first-ever win against ASU as well.  Junior Michelle DeSieno/Centreville (Chantilly) scored at 98:02 as she scored off a corner-kick served by classmate Brenda Cary/Bristow (Brentsville).  Longwood improved to 3-1-1, and is scheduled to play again this Sunday, September 14, against UNC Wilmington at 12 p.m. in the event being hosted by Appalachian State.  The Seahawks defeated Francis Marion 1-0 on Friday.
   
Longwood and Appalachian State battled scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation, and it appeared the first 10-minute extra period might end scoreless too before Lancers gained their only and decisive corner-kick opportunity that Cary placed perfectly in front of the goal for DeSieno to make contact and flick the ball past the keeper into the left-side of the net.
   
“This is a result that we have been working hard to get for a very long time,” said 15th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93.  “It's very rewarding to find a way to win against a team that has always given us fits, and owned us over the last four years (0-4).  Defensively, we had a plan and the players worked real hard and they deserve this win.  We'll try to use this and build toward UNCW on Sunday.”
   
Longwood took a 13-6 advantage in shots, including 10-4 in attempts on-goal, though Appalachian State had a 2-1 edge in corner kicks.  Sophomore Kayla Huggins/North Haven, Conn. (North Haven) led the attack with five shots, three on-goal.  Redshirt-sophomore keeper Marcia Biddle/Woodbridge (Gar-Field) made four saves while playing the duration in front of the net for the Lancers, posting her fourth shutout in five matches.  Caroline Clarke played the entire match in goal for the Mountaineers as well with nine saves.
   
It was the first win for Longwood against ASU in five matches since 2004 as the overall series is now 1-4.