WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Freshman Amanda Spencer/Gibsonia, Pennsylvania scored three goals for her first collegiate hat trick to lead Longwood University to a 4-3 women’s soccer victory, its first of the season, past Elon University of the Southern Conference on Friday evening at the UNCW Courtyard Marriott Wilmington Invitational in North Carolina.  Sophomore Alana Mackey/Leesburg also had a goal for the Lancers (1-3-2), while senior Kelsey Pardue/Richmond and freshman Jayden Metzger/Midlothian each contributed an assist against the Phoenix (3-1-1).  Longwood will remain in North Carolina to play tournament host UNC Wilmington of the Colonial Athletic Association on Sunday, September 15 at 2:30 p.m.
 

“How about them Lancers ...” said 20th-year head coach Todd Dyer ‘93.  “If it takes giving up a three-goal lead to win a game, we’ll do it every time.  That result is long overdue and very meaningful to us, especially against an Elon team that we have so much respect for.  Amanda Spencer was a rock star today with the hat trick.”
 

Longwood jumped ahead early on an unassisted goal by Spencer in the 15th minute of the contest, as she took the ball off the keeper’s foot, cut back to the middle of the field and found the back of the net.  The Lancers led 2-0 at halftime after Mackey tallied her first goal this season in the 40th minute when she gained possession in the box on a failed clear attempt by the Elon defense and was successful with her shot to the net.
 

Longwood increased its advantage to 3-0 when Spencer scored again in the 57th minute, beating the keeper one-on-one with a nice assist from Pardue.  It was the first assist of the season for Pardue, who now has 20 career assists.  Elon, however, battled back with three unanswered goals by Jennifer McGorty, Rachel Hallman and Nicole Dennion, respectively, the latter in the 85th minute to tie the match at 3-3.  Chelsey Stark assisted the first goal, Bethany Houpt the second and McGorty assisted the third goal.  The Lancers, though, would not be denied their first win as Spencer tallied her third goal of the match in the 85th minute, as well, just 36-seconds after the EU equalizer.  The hat trick goal by Spencer was her team-leading fifth of the season, assisted by Metzger, her collegiate first.
 

Elon had a 17-15 edge in shots, but Longwood had a 9-6 advantage in attempts on goal, though the Phoenix led 8-5 on corner kicks.  Spencer led the Lancers with five shots, all on goal, while Pardue and junior Samantha Phillips/Chesapeake each had two shots, one on goal.  Graduate goalkeeper Shelby Hall/Purcellville played the duration in front of the net with three saves.
 

Elon was led by Kelly Siewers with four shots, none on target, and Dennion added three shots, one on target.  Kate Murphy played the first 45 minutes for the Phoenix with two saves and two goals allowed, while Sydney Branson played the final 45 minutes with three saves and two goals allowed.
 

Longwood and Elon were playing for the eighth time in the sport of women's soccer, and the Phoenix still have a 5-3 edge in the series.