A pair of second-half goals gave the Longwood women’s soccer team a 2-0 home victory over UNC Asheville on Oct. 15. The win continued the Lancers’ turnaround, bringing their record to 6-8-1 this season.
The opening 45 minutes were scoreless but eventful, as the Lancers were unable to convert their chances that came late in the half. But in the 59th minute, junior midfielder Janese Quick curled a free kick into the bottom-right corner to give the Lancers a deserved 1-0 lead.
"That was a very organized and motivated UNC Asheville team that clearly outplayed us the first 30 minutes of the game," said head coach Todd Dyer on the official Longwood athletics website. "We built a little bit of momentum right before the half, but we definitely had to make some adjustments and come out with a better response in the second half. Fortunately that was exactly what we did, and we were able to play more soccer in the front half of the field, create some chances and score a couple of goals to finish off the game."
That aforementioned second goal came in the 83rd minute when junior goalkeeper Maria Kirby’s long kick was flicked on by senior forward Christina Corbin. Corbin’s header was gathered by fellow senior forward Amanda Spencer, who capped off the home win.
Despite a scrappy and cagey opening half, Quick and Spencer’s goals rewarded a second half performance. In total, the Lancers outshot their opponents 16-11, and more crucially notching nine shots on goal to the Bulldogs’ one.
"We came out in the first half, we couldn't pass, UNC Asheville was beating us to balls," said sophomore midfielder Annie Boros on the official Longwood athletics website. "We came together at halftime and said if we really want to win this, we have to step it up. We did; we moved off the ball, we connected and that's how we got our goals."
Next up for Longwood is a trip to face Campbell on Oct. 19, in their final road game of the regular season, before hosting Charleston Southern on Oct. 22.
