Longwood falls short in first game of women’s soccer season

The result wasn’t what they wanted, but there were plenty of positives to draw from after the season opener for Longwood women’s soccer on Sunday night.

The Lancers (0-1) did almost everything right against a high caliber Loyola Maryland squad, but the Greyhounds (1-1) capitalized on one golden chance with less than five minutes to play to edge Longwood 1-0.

The Lancers rang the woodwork twice, but Loyola’s Baylee DeSmit provided the difference in the 86th minute with a goal against the run of play. DeSmit ripped home a breakaway goal to send the visitors home with the win despite tremendous pressure from Longwood in the final 45 minutes.

“As proud as I am of our team’s effort tonight, and the quality of soccer we played, I’m equally disappointed in the result,” said Longwood Head Coach Todd Dyer. “I want to say we deserved better, but the reality is that we didn’t finish the chances we created, and we had a defensive laps in a late, critical moment in the game. It stings, but it’s part of our journey together, and we will use it to get better.”

Longwood outshot Loyola 17-12 in the match, and 11-4 after halftime, creating waves of pressure.

The team’s best chances came in the 82 ^nd minute off a corner kick. Claire Schultz rifled a shot off the crossbar, and Emma Jones nearly banged home the rebound before being denied point blank by Loyola’s Brigid Mulholland.

Freshman Taylor Hoag also nearly put Longwood on the board in the second half when she played a ball in, and it was deflected. However, Mulholland forced it wide into the post.

Meghan Piazza and Hoag led Longwood with four shots apiece, and Peyton Curney added three.

The Lancers now head out for six straight on the road, beginning with a trip to Richmond on Thursday. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m.

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