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Longwood University Athletics

Senior Day
0
Missouri State MSU (3-12; 1-5 MAC)
3
Winner Longwood LWUFH (9-8; 3-3 MAC)
Missouri State MSU
(3-12; 1-5 MAC)
0
Final
3
Longwood LWUFH
(9-8; 3-3 MAC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Missouri State MSU 0 0 0
Longwood LWUFH 0 3 3

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Lancers Punch Ticket into MAC Championships

Longwood Secures Bid into MAC Championships With 3-0 Win Over Missouri State on Senior Day

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FARMVILLE, Va. – A banner day for the Longwood field hockey team highlighted the regular season finale Saturday afternoon at the newly named Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field at the Longwood Athletics Complex. 

On a day where Longwood dedicated its field to three-year former letter winner Elizabeth Burger Jackson, celebrated its five seniors and had junior Edel Nyland break the Longwood Division I single-season goal scoring record, the Lancers earned a bid into next week's MAC Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over Missouri State. 

Saturday's win over the Bears, propels Longwood (9-8; 3-3 MAC) to its first-ever bid into the MAC Championship in its three seasons in the league, as the blue and white take the No. 3 seed in the MAC Championships. The Lancers clinch the most wins for the squad in the MAC era and the most since the 10 victories secured by the 2013 squad. 

"The team set that goal to make it into the MAC Championships at the beginning of the year and I'm proud of them for attaining it," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. "We're definitely excited to have the chance to compete in our first MAC Tournament."

Winners of their final three games of the regular season, the Lancers open the MAC Championship Friday, Nov. 4 against second-seeded Miami, as Lancers look to avenge a 3-2 loss earlier this season in Miami.

Nyland scored two of Longwood's three goals on the day, passing the 17 goals scored by Stacy de Grandhomme during the 2013 season. Her 18 goals ranks among the top-10 in the nation, as she finishes as the MAC leader in goals (18) and points (41) throughout the regular season.

"It's definitely rewarding to work for something and be able to see the results, but at the same time we wouldn't be in this position without the work of our defense and midfield," Nyland said. "We've had a balanced effort all over the field during the last three games and that's been a huge part of our success."

A product of Tipperary, Ireland, Nyland has enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in which she tallied points in 12 of the squad's 17 games to secure her first double-digit goal season and triple her goal total of six tallies last season. In addition, Nyland heads to the MAC Championship surging, as she has deposited six goals in Longwood's final four regular season games.

After Nyland broke a scoreless tie four minutes into the second half, Kate Colley tallied her second of the season less than two minutes later on a goal assisted by Olivia Wawrzyniak.

Both of Nyland's goals came off penalty corners and give-and-go plays with Lil-Sophie Atchterwinter, as Atchterwinter tallied a pair of assists in the game.   
Longwood honored its senior class of five seniors prior to the game, including Lauren Bernard, Jordan Chapman, Ellen Ross, Allison Savage, Lindsey Lysher.

"These five seniors have meant so much to the program," Byers said. "There were a lot of emotions to deal with. We're really happy that their careers will continue into the MAC Tournament. They've helped elevate our program and they've made our program better in their time here."

Those five seniors, who helped Longwood in its transition into the MAC, will have the opportunity to play in the MAC Championship in the squad's first-ever trip and aided Longwood to one of its top regular seasons in the Division I era.

"They've all been an inspiration for me both on and off the field," Nyland said. "We're not just teammates, but we're friends off the field as well. They're really an inspiration to us and motivate the rest of us to keep playing."

Ross, Longwood's lone captain this season, has started all 74 games of her career, as she played all 70 minutes during her final home game Saturday and aided Longwood's back line effort that held Missouri State to five shots in the game.  

"It really means everything to me," Ross said of being able to cap her final season at Longwood with a trip to the MAC Championships. "This has been the best season I've had here personally and has been the most successful season we've had as a team, so I'm excited to advance to the Tournament."

In her second shutout this season, Bernard made four saves to spearhead Longwood's all-around defensive effort aided by the combination of Ross, Jordan Chapman, Kate Colley and Lil-Sophie Achterwinter.

Longwood will play the second semifinal game Friday, Nov. 4 in Kent, Ohio, as the Lancers square off against Miami (OH). The game is set for a 2 p.m. start.

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