The familiar confines of Farmville brought a much-needed 1-0 victory for the Longwood women’s soccer team against UMBC on Sept. 11. Junior midfielder Janese Quick’s 59th minute goal and a first shutout of the season improved the Lancers’ record to 2-5-0.
Longwood came into the contest having been outscored 11-4 in their first six games. Head coach Todd Dyer’s side hosted the Retrievers looking to get their season back on track in just their second home game of the season, and was happy with how his side responded.
“We’re pleased to earn our first home win,” said Dyer. “It’s good for morale; it’s good for our mentality moving forward. Because we’ve been in a lot of close games, we’ve just been on the short end, and that takes a toll on you emotionally. So more than anything, I’m glad they just get to feel and experience that winning feeling.”
The Lancers started well, controlling possession and the flow of the game, but failed to create many clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half. However, they broke through early in the second half via Quick.
Senior defender Gina D’Orazio found Quick at the top of the penalty box, and the junior converted off the underside of the crossbar to give the home side a 1-0 advantage, and Dyer was full of praise.
“It was huge. Whenever it comes, we need that first goal, and I think it was a great goal in terms of the buildup, and then Janese arriving late with her run, I mean just perfect,” said Dyer. “The way it unfolded and she smacked it, she scored a great goal. But it was a team goal, and she just had that last touch for us… that first goal is always important.”
Quick’s goal was a just reward for the Lancers, who were in control for the majority of the game. Longwood outshot UMBC 11-7 as the Retrievers did not generate much offense until they were trailing.
Despite a couple of nervy clearances and a potential handball that was waived away, the Lancer defense held firm for their first clean sheet of the season, which Dyer was pleased to pick up.
“I thought it got a little hairy there at the end, but we held strong and you know, saw the game out and got the result we wanted,” said Dyer. “(The defense) was huge, like this was the first game where we haven’t given up a goal. So hopefully we like the way that feels, we see what type of work and commitment it takes to earn that.”
The Lancers will look to put their rough start behind them and continue their turnaround in Blacksburg, Va. against Virginia Tech on Sept. 13.
Junior midfielder Janese Quick scored the game winner in Longwood women's soccer's first home win over University of Maryland-Baltimore County on Sunday afternoon.
