8.29.2011

2011 Digital Team Guide

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University played just one women's soccer match this past week, falling 1-0 on the road at Elon University of the Southern Conference on August 25 in North Carolina. It was the first goal allowed in three contests this season by the Lancers (1-1-1). Longwood will play three matches this week, including two on the road: at Liberty University of the Big South Conference on Monday, August 29, in Lynchburg at 7 p.m., and at East Tennessee State University of the Atlantic Sun Conference on Friday, September 2, in Johnson City, Tennessee at 4 p.m. The Lancers will close their demanding week back at home, hosting Appalachian State University of the Southern Conference on Sunday, Sept. 4, at the Athletics Complex in Farmville at 2 p.m.

Head Coach Todd Dyer On The Lancers
"Heading into our last game of August against Liberty, we've had some meaningful games and experiences that should help carry us forward into September. Having won one, tied one and lost one at this point in the season, we now have a better understanding of the little things we must do as a team in order to get results ... especially on the road. Defensively, I think we're a solid team right now, but we're still trying to find our attacking personality in order to generate more goals and production on the offensive side of things."

Recapping Elon
Longwood and Elon battled to a scoreless tie at the intermission before the Phoenix were able to move the net at 59:36 for the decisive goal. The Lancers and Elon each had seven shots during the contest, though the Phoenix led 2-0 in attempts on-goal, while Longwood had a 4-1 edge on corner kicks. Senior captain Kacie Oliver|Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth) and junior Nikki Glisson|Mechanicsville (Hanover) each had two shots to lead the Lancers. Junior keeper Kyra Byron|Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) played the duration in front of the net with one save.

A Look At Liberty, East Tennessee State, Appalachian State
Liberty is coached by fourth-year head coach Jessica Hain, and is currently 0-1 after a 9-1 road loss at the University of Virginia on August 26. The Flames only goal at UVA was scored by senior Aimee Luurtsema in the 88th minute. Longwood is 3-6-1 all-time versus Liberty, including a 1-0 home win last September 24 at the Athletics Complex. ETSU is coached by first-year head coach Adam Sayers, and is currently 1-2 after a 1-0 road win at Radford University on August 28. The Bucs have been led by junior Morgan Thomas with one goal and one assist this season. Longwood and ETSU are meeting for the first time in women's soccer. Appalachian State is coached by second-year head coach Sarah Strickland, and is currently 1-2 after a 2-1 road win at VCU on August 28. The Mountaineers have been led by freshmen Callie Johnson and Julia Holz with one goal each this fall. Longwood is 2-5 all-time versus ASU, including a 1-0 road loss last September 12 in North Carolina.

Joshua Bolt Day
The home match against Appalachian State has been designated Joshua Bolt Day with special recognition of Joshua and the Bolt family scheduled during a special pre-game ceremony. The Lancers are dedicating the contest against the Mountaineers to Joshua, the son of Kyle and Jennifer Bolt, who celebrates his 10th birthday on August 31. He successfully battles a condition that affects the brain known as cerebral palsy.

No Place Like Home
Longwood is 36-10-1 (.777), including 1-0 this season, on its home turf at the Athletics Complex since beginning competition at the facility in 2006. The Lancers finished 8-2 at home last season, and are 29-9 (.763) at the Athletics Complex since attaining its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007.

The Coaching Staff
Longwood is coached by 18th-year head coach Todd Dyer '93 who is assisted by associate head coach Steve Brdarski, in his eighth season, along with director of soccer operations Lindsey Williams and graduate assistant Marcia Biddle '10. Dyer is the only coach in the program's history as he has attained an overall coaching record of 187-113-17 (.617) over 17-plus years, including 14 winning seasons.

2011 Captains
Fifth-year senior defender Katie Devlin|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) will serve as a team captain for the second consecutive season, while senior defender/midfielder Kacie Oliver|Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth) and junior forward Lindsey Ottavio|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) are in the team leadership roles for the first time. The veteran and talented trio have combined for 151 career starts, 27 goals, 12 assists, and 66 points.

It Must Be The Name
Longwood has four team members with the same first name: Kelsey. They include sophomore midfielder Kelsey Pardue|Henrico (Hermitage), along with freshmen Kelsey Lucas|Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg Christian) (forward), Kelsey McDonald|Kennett Square, Pa. (Unionville) (forward/defender), and Kelsey Trace|Gainesville (Battlefield) (midfielder). A similar-sounding name on the Lancers' roster adds to the uniqueness: sophomore midfielder Chelsea Walter|South Riding (Freedom). Additionally, Kelsey Lucas has a twin sister, and since Kelsey was taken, her name is Carley Lucas|Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg Christian) (defender).

Up Next
Longwood will play two matches next week, including a home contest against Tennessee Tech of the Ohio Valley Conference on Friday, September 9, at the Athletics Complex in Farmville at 7 p.m. during Wounded Warrior Weekend, and a road match at in-state opponent George Mason University of the Colonial Athletic Association on Sunday, Sept. 11, in Fairfax at 2 p.m.