August 22, 2011
FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University will open its 2011 field hockey season on Saturday, August 27, when it hosts Towson University of the Colonial Athletic Association at 11 a.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. The Lancers welcome Lock Haven University of the Atlantic 10 Conference on Sunday at 1 p.m. Admission is free to all Longwood home fall athletics events.
Match Details
Opponent: Towson
Site: Farmville, Va.
Facility: Athletics Complex
Start: 11 a.m.
Live Stats
Twitter
Match Details
Opponent: Lock Haven
Site: Farmville, Va.
Facility: Athletics Complex
Start: 1 p.m.
Live Stats
Twitter
A Look At Longwood
Longwood returns eight starters among 16 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 8-13, including 4-2 in Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) matches, and a third-place finish in the NorPac Tournament. Fourth-year head coach Iain Byers has added three freshmen to the 2011 squad. Coach Byers is assisted by first-year assistant coach Sarah Dalrymple. Byers has posted a 28-36 record over his three seasons as head coach.
A Look At Towson
Towson is coming off an 8-10 record in 2010, including a 2-6 mark in conference play. The Tigers return seven starters from 2010, including Katie DeFilipo who scored six goals with a team-high four assists. Towson is led by fourth-year head coach Michelle Webber.
A Look At Lock Haven
Lock Haven posted a 15-7 record and 5-2 mark in Atlantic 10 play. The Eagles are picked fourth in the A-10 preseason poll and return 2010 A-10 Second Team members Kristi Shepps and Najia Hasan. Lock Haven is led by veteran 16th-year head coach Pat Rudy who has posted a 265-67 record at LHU.
Home Field
Longwood has posted a 24-24 record at the Athletics Complex since the facility opened for the 2006 season, including a 5-3 mark in 2009. The Lancers went 4-4 in home contests in 2010.
Fifth Year
Longwood welcomes back fifth-year senior Lauren Sullivan. She has appeared in 66 matches with 36 starts, including 19 starts in 21 appearances in 2010. Sullivan scored a career-best seven goals with two assists for 16 points last season.
Familiar Faces
In addition to Lauren Sullivan, the Lancers return five seniors for 2011. Olga Knop has started all 63 matches she has appeared in and has scored 10 goals with 14 assists for 34 points. Amanda Babineau has appeared in 55 matches with 28 starts and has scored 13 goals with three assists, including a career-best six goal in 2010. Sarah Bietsch has appeared in 50 matches with 21 starts and has scored three goals with four assists. Rachel Akers has appeared in 56 matches with 40 starts, while her twin sister Alison Akers has assisted on two goals in 14 matches.
Up Next
The Lancers hit the road for a pair of matches in Hanover, New Hampshire. Longwood will play a neutral-site match against Sacred Heart University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, and will face host Dartmouth College at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4.
