Longwood Earns Shutout Past Visiting Cleveland State 1-0
October 15, 2011
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 1-0 women''s soccer shutout victory past visiting Cleveland State University of the Horizon League Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage) scored the lone and decisive goal for the Lancers (6-6-3), and junior Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) earned the shutout against the Vikings (8-6-1). It was the second-straight win for Longwood who will play again on Friday night, October 21, hosting Eastern Kentucky University of the Ohio Valley Conference at the Athletics Complex in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m. It will be Senior Night for the Lancers in their home finale this season.
Longwood took control from the start against Cleveland State and went ahead 1-0 in the 34th minute when Pardue gained possession of the ball in the box and slipped a hard shot through the keeper into the net at 33:57. The successful shot followed a free kick by senior captain Kacie Oliver|Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth) that deflected through the defensive wall where Pardue collected it and squeezed her shot past the keeper who had appeared to initially make the stop but could not control the ball and prevent it from reaching the net. It was Pardue''s team-leading sixth goal of the season, and the score remained 1-0 at the intermission, and stayed that way throughout the second half as well.
“Until today, some of our strongest results were ties on the road,” said veteran 18th-year head coach Todd Dyer ''93. “In Cleveland State, we had to come up with a complete performance to earn a much-needed home win against a very credible opponent.
“Our back line was rock solid once they settled into the game ... our midfield was vital in helping us possess the ball and dictate the flow of the game ... and our forwards were relentless in stretching their defense and creating chances for us.
“I''m proud of our team and just hope they embrace and appreciate the value of their achievement today.”
Longwood took a 9-5 advantage in shots, including 3-2 in attempts on-goal, and the Lancers had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Pardue and junior Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover) each registered two shots, one on-goal, to lead the attack while freshman Kelsey Lucas|Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg Christian) added two shots as well. Byron played the duration for the Lancers with two saves, and posted her fifth shutout this season.
Becky Williams played the duration for Cleveland State with two saves, and Natalie Daniels had three shots, one on-goal to lead the Vikings. Longwood and Cleveland State were playing for the first time in the sport of women''s soccer.
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