The Rotunda

Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: Sports

By Derek J. Poe Rotunda Reporter The Longwood University women's field hockey team spent the weekend in Boone, N.C. taking on conference rivals Appalachian State and University of the Pacific. On Saturday the Lancers (7-9) defeated the Mountaineers (2-12) by a score of 3-2 as junior Jessica Mantel scored the game-winning goal late in the second half, her first goal of the season. Juniors Melissa Strickland and Julia Hernandez also scored goals in the game, giving them a season total of two goals each. On the following day, in a game that Head Coach Iain Byers described as "critical," the Lancers took on the Tigers from Pacific. Goals by senior Carla Binnewies and Mantel were not enough as the Tigers (5-9) rallied from a 2-1 deficit. Scoring the go-ahead goal with a little over three minutes remaining, Pacific defeated Longwood 3-2 extending a Tigers' winning streak to four. As a result of their road trip, Longwood field hockey now has a conference record of 3-3. The Lancers will return home and attempt to improve their record tonight at 7 p.m. as they host Radford University at the Lancer Athletics Complex. The conference opponent comes into tonight's game with an 8-8 record (4-2 in conference play). In an earlier meeting, Longwood fell to the Highlanders despite a great performance put forth by senior goalkeeper Erin West. Byers said West "played out of her skin" in an attempt to keep the Lancers on top. In 20 other meetings between the two schools, Longwood has won six and tied three of the games. Byers said, "We just look to these games to be preparation for the NorPac Tournament. We still have our sights on the prize. We want to go into conference with a lot of momentum. We are a very capable team and this week is designed to help us get back on track." The Lancers are also looking to improve their record in front of the home crowd to a mark of 5-4. With the support of the student body, the Lancers look to rebound against the in-state rivals from Radford.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools