LEXINGTON, Va. - Despite a furious VMI rally late, Longwood held on for a 2-1 non-conference win over the Keydets on Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field. The Lancers improved to 7-3 with the win, while VMI fell to 2-6 with the result.
The Lancers improved to 4-0 against Big South opponents this season thanks to a pair of early goals scored by upperclassmen. Junior forward Jessica Varela created the team's first score, using her speed on the right flank to create an opening to send a dangerous pass across the goal's mouth. Senior Michelle DeSieno was there for a tap-in goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
Longwood doubled that margin in the 27th minute. Following a save by VMI's Heidi Beemer, the carom came out of the scrum to junior Alex Myers at the top of the box, where she tucked a shot just inside the right post for her second goal of the year.
The score remained 2-0 to the intermission, with the visitors ahead in shots (8-4), shots on goal (6-1), and corner kicks (4-3).
The second half brought a more determined effort from the VMI squad. The Keydets cut into the margin in the 64th minute, as a pair of freshmen combined for the goal. Given space on the left flank, Kacey Hall sent across a low cross that Longwood keeper Marcia Biddle could only get a fingertip on. Simone Jimenez then came on at the far post and booted home her first collegiate goal to bring the margin to 2-1.
The Lancers tried to answer immediately, but Keydet keeper Angela Redmond countered with a save of another Myers attempt. The teams traded shots 15 minutes later, as VMI's Amanda Berrios sent a 20-yard volley wide before Redmond got just enough of a shot by Dylan Spicker from 30 yards out to send it off the crossbar and out of harm's way.
The Keydets' last best chance came in the 86th minute, when a cross into the box by Hall flew just over the head of VMI's Christelle Ndongo and to the feet of Olivia Moore. After it was knocked away by an LU defender, Kelly Morrison's shot went wide of the net. VMI would get only one more attempt, a Ndongo shot that forced a save by Biddle.
The visitors wrapped up the contest with a 17-9 advantage in shots, including a 10-4 edge in shots on target. The Lancers also had nine corner kicks to VMI's five, while holding a 10-7 lead in fouls.
Biddle made three saves to earn the win in net, while Beemer and Redmond were each credited with four stops.
Five of VMI's six losses this season have come by a one-goal margin.
The Keydets return to action on Tuesday afternoon, continuing their four-game home stand by taking on Elon in a make-up game at 4 p.m.
HEAD COACH BRYAN WILLIAMS- "We knew a lot about Longwood coming in, that their speed up top and the strength of their attacking players would be what we needed to deal with. Unfortunately, our back line didn't show in the first half what they did in the second half. Longwood knocked in two balls that we didn't clear well. Our goal came on a great cross by Kacey and Simone was there to finish. That goal really energized us and got us back into the game, I thought we really dominated a lot of the play late. I was very impressed with our back line in the second half, we were able to handle what they were doing and even get some good runs forward. Our goalkeepers both played very well. In the first half, we played a very neutral game and we didn't show effort or enthusiasm. I was proud of how we played in the second half, that's how we'll have to play against Elon and this weekend against our Big South opponents."
