SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford's All-Southern Conference forward Katie Gilligan struck twice, including the golden goal in overtime, to lift the Terriers past Longwood 2-1 in a season-opening barn burner Friday night at Snyder Field.
 
In the 2021 fall debut for both teams, it was Gilligan's golden goal that ended the 99-minute marathon and put to rest a comeback bid that saw Longwood (0-1) bounce back from an early first-half deficit. However, Gilligan put the home-team Terriers (1-0) on top for good with her 13th career goal 9:29 into overtime, kissing the bottom of the crossbar with a high-arcing shot from 25 yards out.
 
Gilligan's game-winner was the fifth of her career and negated a second-half equalizer from Longwood senior Danielle Toone, who tied the score at 1-1 by finishing off a cross into the box from Alayna Palamar in the 59th minute.
 
"Tough ending and result to start the season, but we showed a lot of character coming from a goal down to force overtime," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer, who embarked on his 28th season as head coach and founder of the Longwood women's soccer program Friday.
 
"Obviously we could have managed that extra period better defensively, but I thought we did well creating the first couple chances on the offensive end. We have a good understanding now of how hard we need to compete, especially early in games. No doubt this stings, but we will learn and grow from this experience tonight."
 
The overtime loss was Longwood's first since 2019 and snapped a streak of six straight extra-time efforts without a defeat.
 
Despite the result, the Lancers showcased their depth by rolling out 18 players, four of which were true freshmen, while four others – seniors Kylie Cahill and Madison Hommey, junior Catharine Forst and sophomore Mary Kate Levush – played all 99 minutes.
 
Longwood will continue its season-opening two-game road swing this Sunday with another bout against a SoCon foe, this time against Furman at 2 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.
 
#GoWood