BOONE, N.C. – It's been a good week for Longwood field hockey.

Two days after being tabbed No. 19 in the first RPI rankings of the season, the Lancers moved to 2-0 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play with a 4-3 golden-goal win over Appalachian State Thursday night at Adcock Field.

Olivia Wawrzyniak scored a pair, including the game-winning goal in double overtime to lift the Lancers to their sixth win in eight games to begin the season to ascend to the top of the MAC rankings. Wawrzyniak's second goal of the night came after the Mountaineers scored a late regulation goal to force the extra session.

"It was a battling performance," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. "We moved the ball around well at times, but we just couldn't seem to execute in the final third like we would normally like to. The goal App scored on us late was a bit of a gut punch, but credit to this team for coming back. We talked about getting up off the canvas after taking a punch like that, and they did a really good job of that." 

It marks the second consecutive campaign that Longwood (6-2, 2-0 MAC) has opened with at least six wins in its first eight games and moves Byers two wins shy of No. 100 in his Lancer career.

"It's such a great feeling being 2-0 in the MAC," said Sophia DeFeo. "We worked so hard for this, this is what our hard practices are for. Appalachian State is a great team and they really pushed us tonight. We're really gelling as a team. If we keep our momentum going, I'm excited for what we can do together."

Wawrzyniak's overtime winner followed a late goal from Appalachian State's Chloe Bell to send the game into the extra session. The pair of goals from Wawrzyniak hand her the fifth of the season, as the junior continues her breakout campaign.

"It was exciting to score the winning goal but it was nice to cheer with my teammates and get a second win in conference," Wawrzyniak said. "Overall, we didn't play our best game but I thought we were smart and were able to outwork them."

For a Lancer team that never trailed, DeFeo scored her second of the season 45 seconds into the second half, as she continues to her steady play along the Longwood forward line. The goal for DeFeo came off a feed from Leonie Verstraete, one of four assists for the Lancers in the game.

Freshman Luna Lopez continued her strong rookie campaign in the midfield, scoring  her second in a four-game span.

The backline of Rio Weber, Kolbey Donahue and Clara Meschini limited the Mountaineers (6-2) to 12 shots, as reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Week Katie Wyman made eight saves.

"The key in tonight's win was our work rate, keeping composure and a positive attitude," DeFeo said. "I think that's what this team has over others. We work hard and have the attitude and will to win. On the field and off the field, we're great friends and that's what shows on the field. We support each other throughout the game even when it gets chaotic sometimes."

Rachel Gaines made 13 saves in goal for the Mountaineers while Ali Williams and Melissa Nobile added goals.

The Lancers will face a short turnaround, stepping out-of-conference with a trip to Davidson Friday, Sept. 21. First touch is set for 6 p.m. in Davidson, N.C.

#GoWood