NORFOLK, Va. – Longwood lacrosse battled on Wednesday night at Old Dominion, but a second half rally by the home side after a delay due to a light issue pushed ODU past Longwood 18-10. Riley McDonald keyed the Longwood (2-3) attack, but the Monarchs (3-3) were led by four goals from Sydney Taylor.
 
SCORE:
 
               1Q          2Q          3Q          4Q          Final
LWU        3             2             2             3             10
ODU        4             3             5             6             18
 
Top Longwood Performers:
Riley McDonald: 3G, 1A, 3CT, 4 DC
Emily Cate Smith: 2G, 1A, 1GB
Lauren Cerretani: 2G, 3DC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
The Lancers have been road warriors this year, with four of their first five away from home. Once again, the team battled, and the game was nip and tuck until a late run by ODU broke the game open when Longwood had to chase goals late.
 
Riley McDonald started off hot for the Lancers with a pair of goals in the first six minutes to give Longwood an early one goal lead each time.
 
However, ODU rallied and retook the lead on Sydney Taylor's goal with 4:03 left in the first quarter. After ODU extended the lead to two, Emily Cate Smith cut it to one with the final goal in the quarter.
 
The second quarter was also a defensive struggle, and the Lancers evened the score at 5-5 on Smith's second goal of the game halfway through the frame.
 
Near the end of the half, the lights in the stadium malfunctioned, and there was a delay right before halftime for half an hour. The Monarchs bounced back and took a two-goal lead at the break, and they stayed hot to start the second half.
 
After the Monarchs extended the lead to four, Lauren Cerretani scored back-to-back goals to keep the Lancers within three. From that point on, though, ODU was able to keep a feisty Lancer group at bay for the final quarter.

WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"This week at practice, we worked hard to implement new strategies and concepts that showed in the game," said Lauren Cerretani, a team captain. "I am excited to see us keep learning and pushing each other as a team going forward."
 
"The team really wanted that one, and they fought really hard for it," said Head Coach Kylar Ferguson. "We were able to reach into the bench a good bit today and saw some great results. I am very proud of those players and the progress we're making on an individual basis with a strong team culture."

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 
McDonald leads Longwood with 13 goals, and she has scored at least three goals in three of the four games she has played.
 
Emily Cate Smith has a team-best 11 assists to go with eight goals, and she has both scored a goal and had an assist in every game this season.
 
Cerretani had her third multi-goal game of the season for the Lancers.
 
UP NEXT:
 
Longwood heads back home to host ACC newcomer Clemson on Sunday. The opening draw is set for noon. The game will be aired on ESPN+.
 
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