5.10.2012

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University split a pair of National Lacrosse Conference (NLC) Tournament games May 4-5, falling first to #4 Davidson College 19-9 in a quarterfinal match before defeating #8 Howard University 25-14 in a consolation game to close out the 2012 campaign. The Lancers finished with an overall record of 4-13 while 3-4 in their final season as members of the NLC. Longwood could return as many as 18 letterwinners for 2013, including nine of this season's starters.

Recapping Davidson, Howard
Davidson scored the game's first three goals, but Longwood answered with three of its own to tie it 3-3 before the Wildcats went on a 7-1 run, which ultimately sealed the victory. The score at halftime was 11-5, and the Lancers were met with tough defense and only able to tally four more goals throughout the final 30-minute period. Sophomore Mary Barondess|Centreville (Westfield) led the group with her three-goal effort on three shots.

Longwood and sophomore Lauren Prasnicki|Lexington (Rockbridge County) had a career day against Howard. The Lancers set season-high marks for goals (25), shots (46), draw controls (27) and free position goals (nine), including committing a season-low 13 turnovers. Prasnicki set a school-record with her 10-point effort on four goals and six assists, which were all season- and career-highs. There was a combined 24 goals scored in the first half as Longwood led 14-10 at intermission, but only 15 were netted in the second half as the Lancers scored 11 of them and took the 25-14 victory.

NCAA Rankings
Through games of May 6, Longwood was ranked 7th in ground balls per game (18.59) and 19th in draw controls (13.71). Senior captain Hannah Riggs|Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie) remained 2nd in ground balls per game (3.59), while sophomore Kathleen Battle|Nellysford (St. Anne's Belfield) ranked 20th in the same category (2.59). Riggs also ranked 22nd in draw controls (4.06) and 41st in caused turnovers (1.41). Junior transfer Mollie Zimmerman|Fairpoint, N.Y. (Monroe CC/Catawba) ranked 11th in saves per game (9.44) while 17th in total saves (151).

Offensive Threats
Lauren Prasnicki had an offensive surge in her final two games of the season to overtake the team lead in points (44) and assists (20), while junior Jamie Brentlinger|Gambrills, Md. (Arundel) led the team in goals (35) and was third in points (39) while adding four assists. Senior captain Jessica Rudloff|West Chester, Pa. (West Chester East) finished second in goals (28), assists (nine) and points (42). Brentlinger also led the team in shots on goal (56) while second behind Rudloff in free position goals (seven) and total shots (71). Rudloff netted nine free position goals for the team lead while also first in total shots (74) and second in shots on goal (52).

What A Difference A Year Makes
Lauren Prasnicki started all 17 games this season after starting just three in 2011 as a freshman. In 18 appearances last season, she scored 16 points from 11 goals and five assists. This year, however, she completed the season with 24 goals and a team-leading 20 assists and 44 points.

Kathleen Battle also showed noted improvement since the 2011 season. She compiled 29 total ground balls in 18 games, having started eight of them in 2011. This 2012 campaign, she started all 17 games and collected the second most ground balls (44) and caused turnovers (18), while also more than quintuppling her amount of draw controls from four to 21.

NLC Player Of The Week (3.18)
Alexa Anderson|Richmond (St. Catherines) was named the NLC Newcomer of the Week through games ending March 18. She totaled five goals on just seven shots in the Lancers three road games that week, including a pair of two-goal performances. On the season, Anderson has 11 goals and four assists for 15 points.

All-NLC Recognition
Hannah Riggs and Kathleen Battle were voted to the All-NLC Second Team this year, while Lauren Prasnicki was named to the NLC All-Tournament Team for her performance during both post-season games. Also recognized with a spot on the Academic All-League Team were Riggs, Battle, Prasnicki, Alexa Anderson, Jamie Brentlinger, Jessica Rudloff, senior captain Sam Stifler|Jarrettsville, Md. (North Harford), sophomore Emily Whitman|Fairfax (W.T. Woodson) and senior Katie Carbiener|Orlando, Fla. (Olympia).

National Lacrosse Conference
Formed in 2009, the NLC completed its fourth season of competition. The four original teams include the University of Detroit, Howard University, Longwood University and Presbyterian College, while in 2010 Davidson College, High Point University, Liberty University and Jacksonville University joined the league. Longwood has won two conference titles (2009 & 2010), while Jacksonville won its first tournament crown this season.

2012 Captains
Seniors Hannah Riggs, Jessica Rudloff and Sam Stifler served as tri-captains in 2011-12, ending their careers -- along with classmate Katie Carbiener -- with an overall record of 35-35 and a 17-6 NLC mark as well as an impressive 22-13 home record when playing in Farmville at the Athletics Complex.

The Coaching Staff
Longwood was coached by first-year interim head coach Wendy Stone who was assisted by Taylor Frink, also in her first season, along with undergraduate student assistant Ross Garner. Prior to this season, Stone served as the team's assistant coach since 2009.

Next Up
Longwood awaits the offseason and will open its 2013 Big South Conference slate on February 26 against Campbell University.