Lancers Set to Host NorPac Conference Tournament
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Sports
By Derek J. Poe
Rotunda Reporter
The Longwood Lancers women's field hockey team is set to host the 2008 NorPac conference tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m. Over the next three days, the Athletics Complex will be the site of nine NorPac field hockey games.
In the first game of the tournament, the hosting #5 seed Lancers (8-11), will take on the #4 seed Highlanders of Radford University (9-10). During the regular season the Lancers split two matchups with the Highlanders. In the first contest the Highlanders beat the Lancers 4-3 after two rounds of penalty strokes. In the second game between the in-state rivals, freshman Amanda Babineau scored the game-winning goal with just over twenty seconds, giving the Lancers a 2-1 home victory.
Head Coach Iain Byers said about the upcoming matchup, "Radford are always tough opposition, and you can never take a game against them lightly. …If we approach the game with the right mentality then we can prove that we are the stronger team. Getting fan support out there always helps against these tough local rivals." The Athletics Complex is capable of seating over 350 people yet has reached capacity just one time in 10 home contests during the regular season.
If the Lancers are able to win the game versus Radford, they will face the #1 seed California Golden Bears. However, the Golden Bears have proved their dominance in conference play as they won the 2008 regular season championship, their 10th consecutive title. With a regular season record of 12-4 and 5-1 in the NorPac, Cal has earned a first round bye and will open their tournament against either Longwood or Radford Friday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
Coming off consecutive losses to William and Mary and Duke, the Lancers are looking forward to the tournament to get back on track. In order to perform well in the tournament, Byers said, the team needs to "execute the fundamentals well. The strength of our program is its athleticism and team synergy. If we can add a high level of fundamental execution to our game like we have through periods of the season we can make a serious run for the championship, which has certainly been our target all season. Having home advantage at the tournament is something that will certainly help us too though."
There would be no better time to get on a hot streak as the Lancers bid for their first ever NorPac conference championship. For additional information regarding the tournament bracket and schedule and team information visit longwoodlancers.com.
Rotunda Reporter
The Longwood Lancers women's field hockey team is set to host the 2008 NorPac conference tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m. Over the next three days, the Athletics Complex will be the site of nine NorPac field hockey games.
In the first game of the tournament, the hosting #5 seed Lancers (8-11), will take on the #4 seed Highlanders of Radford University (9-10). During the regular season the Lancers split two matchups with the Highlanders. In the first contest the Highlanders beat the Lancers 4-3 after two rounds of penalty strokes. In the second game between the in-state rivals, freshman Amanda Babineau scored the game-winning goal with just over twenty seconds, giving the Lancers a 2-1 home victory.
Head Coach Iain Byers said about the upcoming matchup, "Radford are always tough opposition, and you can never take a game against them lightly. …If we approach the game with the right mentality then we can prove that we are the stronger team. Getting fan support out there always helps against these tough local rivals." The Athletics Complex is capable of seating over 350 people yet has reached capacity just one time in 10 home contests during the regular season.
If the Lancers are able to win the game versus Radford, they will face the #1 seed California Golden Bears. However, the Golden Bears have proved their dominance in conference play as they won the 2008 regular season championship, their 10th consecutive title. With a regular season record of 12-4 and 5-1 in the NorPac, Cal has earned a first round bye and will open their tournament against either Longwood or Radford Friday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
Coming off consecutive losses to William and Mary and Duke, the Lancers are looking forward to the tournament to get back on track. In order to perform well in the tournament, Byers said, the team needs to "execute the fundamentals well. The strength of our program is its athleticism and team synergy. If we can add a high level of fundamental execution to our game like we have through periods of the season we can make a serious run for the championship, which has certainly been our target all season. Having home advantage at the tournament is something that will certainly help us too though."
There would be no better time to get on a hot streak as the Lancers bid for their first ever NorPac conference championship. For additional information regarding the tournament bracket and schedule and team information visit longwoodlancers.com.
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