LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Longwood University battled a 1-1 women's soccer double-overtime tie on the road at nearby rival Liberty University of the Big South Conference Monday night in Lynchburg. Freshman Kelsey McDonald|Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville) scored the game-tying goal in the 85th minute for the visiting Lancers (1-1-2) against the host Flames (0-1-1) who scored in the fifth minute on a penalty kick. Longwood will play again on Friday, September 2, remaining on the road at East Tennessee State University of the Atlantic Sun Conference in Johnson City, Tennessee beginning at 4 p.m.

Liberty took the early 1-0 advantage at 4:35 when Silvia Bentancourt scored on a penalty kick after a whistle for a Longwood foul in the box. It remained 1-0 at the intermission, and looked like it might hold up before McDonald tallied her first collegiate goal for the Lancers at 84:03. The score stayed even at 1-1 through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods.

“I thought we controlled a lot of the game after the penalty kick in terms of possession and rhythm of the whole match,” said 18th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93. “Ultimately in the end, Kelsey McDonald just used her pace and athleticism to make something happen, and that's what it took on a night like tonight. All-in-all, we're pleased to get a tie on the road in a very hard-fought match at Liberty.”

Longwood took a 16-12 advantage in shots during the contest, including 7-5 in attempts on-goal, while the Lancers had a 6-4 edge on corner kicks. Sophomore Kelsey Purdue|Henrico (Hermitage) had four shots to lead Longwood, while junior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the duration in front of the net for the Lancers with four saves. Karen Blocker played the entire match in goal for Liberty with five saves, and the Flames had a team save as well, while Bentancourt and Aimee Luurtsema each had three shots.

Longwood is now 3-6-2 all-time versus Liberty, including a 1-0 home win last September 24 at the Athletics Complex.

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