It was a disappointing weekend for the Longwood women’s soccer team, as they fell short in each of their games over the weekend. Marshall took the Aug. 26 contest 1-0, before the Lancers lost on the road against Howard, 2-1, dropping the Lancer’s record to 0-3-0.
The Lancers hosted Marshall in Friday’s marquee matchup, following The G.A.M.E. festivities. In a scrappy and physical contest in the near 100 degree heat, the Thundering Herd’s freshman forward Jordan Sackaris’ 52nd minute goal spoiled the Longwood party.
Despite facing 17 shots, the Lancer backline held strong, with the lone goal coming from a set piece. Marshall played a long free kick into the penalty box, and Sackaris gathered the ball in the crowd before slotting home past junior goalkeeper Maria Kirby.
“It was a great occasion, but we only showed up in the second half,” said head coach Todd Dyer. “I thought in the first half we lacked energy, we lacked combativeness, and because of those two things we got pushed back and had to deal with a lot of pressure.”
That set piece proved to be the difference, as the Lancers spirited comeback failed to materialize, as the Thundering Herd went out as deserved winners. The visitors outshot their opponents 17-7, with six on target to Longwood’s four, as the Lancers fell in The G.A.M.E. for the third straight year.
“I think (The G.A.M.E.) has an effect on our players in terms of maybe nerves, a little bit of anxiety,” said Dyer. “They’re obviously excited about the occasion, but we don’t react well to it early in games.”
The squad looked to bounce back on Sunday against Howard, but there was no such luck as the Bison won 2-1 in Washington, D.C. in a tough loss.
Sophomore forward Makela Davidson opened the scoring in the sixth minute to give the Bison an early 1-0 lead. Longwood drew level in the 23rd minute when sophomore defender Sydney Wallace put home her own rebound off the crossbar.
Freshman forward Hollie Cartwright snatched the game winner in the 71st minute, to give the home side the lead for good. The Lancers could consider themselves unlucky to leave with a defeat, as they outshot Howard 11-6, including seven on goal to the Bison’s five.
"We did plenty of good things today and had our opportunities to win the game," Dyer said on the official Longwood athletics website. "We also kept the door open for Howard and they seized that opportunity."
The team hopes to pick up their first win of the season when they travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. to face Duquesne on Sept. 2.
