Box Score
FARMVILLE, Va. – Another day saw another new face play the role of hero for the Lancers. This time, freshman Abbey Ripley scored her first goal career goal and recorded the game winner as Longwood defeated VCU 3-1 Sunday afternoon at the Athletics Complex.

Any time VCU (1-2) and Longwood meet on the turf, it's a hard-fought and evenly matched battle. Sunday afternoon was no different as the Lancers and Rams met for the 11th straight year.

"It was a tough, hard-fought contest between two very good teams," said head coach Iain Byers. "We're very happy with the result, to come out 3-1 really shows us making progress with the things we've been working on the last few days."

Longwood got off to a fast start. Just five and a half minutes into the game, a scramble in front of the net saw the ball pop up to Jennifer Burris who was standing at the left post. Burris redirected the ball into the top left corner to open the scoring. The goal was allowed to stand thanks to the new rules, which allow a player to play the ball above the shoulder as long as they do not swing the stick. The Burris goal was the earliest tally for Longwood this season.

The frantic pace continued as VCU put the pressure on, not even two minutes later. Forward Kaylee Maunz charged in from the left side and fired a shot low. Longwood goalie Lauren Bernard made a diving save but the rebound went straight back to Maunz. The VCU forward uncorked a second shot that Bernard stopped with stacked pads.

Maunz wasn't done attacking as just under 10 minutes into the game, she put a third shot on goal. Once again, Bernard was up to task, making a great stop to deny the equalizer. Shortly thereafter, Alexis Schramm found the Rams' fourth scoring chance, but like Maunz, Schramm was denied by the Longwood keeper.

Compared to the first ten minutes, the remainder of the first half was relatively subdued. Each team picked up a green card, as things became a little chippy between the rivals late in the first half. VCU finished the half with a flourish as Alexis Schramm broke behind the back line and walked in on Bernard. Schramm deked around a sliding Bernard and had a wide open cage, but hit the right post. Schramm's miss allowed Longwood to carry a 1-0 lead into the half.

The advantage was short-lived. Longwood turned the ball over inside its own 25, allowing Spencer Tossone to find a wide open Kendell Combs, who beat a helpless Bernard to bring VCU even.

After the goal, Bernard put the Rams in lockdown. The sophomore keeper had her best game of the year stopping a total of eight shots, including three following the lone VCU goal.

Longwood turned around and went to work offensively in support of its keeper. Only four minutes later the Lancers found the cage for what would prove to be the game winner. Off of a penalty corner, freshman Lil-Sophie Achterwinter launched a low shot from the top of the circle; fellow freshman Abbey Ripley was perfectly positioned in front of goal and tipped the ball up and over herself and a diving Kendall Clifton for her first collegiate goal.

"We knew this was going to be a really big game," said the freshman Ripley. "VCU is such a tough rival and getting my first goal against such a hard rival like VCU really made it that much sweeter. Add in that it was a tip-in off a really good shot and it was awesome!"

That would be all the Lancers needed to secure the victory.

Longwood sealed the win with just under three minutes remaining after Hollie MacDonald tipped home a pass from Edel Nyland making the score 3-1.  

"This sets us up nicely going into conference play," Byers said. "We're looking forward to Miami (OH), I think it will be a great test for us, but our four games to date have really shown improvement so we hope to continue that."

Longwood (2-2) will travel to Miami (OH) Saturday, Sept. 13 to open the Mid-American Conference slate. The Lancers will finish the road trip Sunday at Ohio, another MAC opponent.