Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team jumped out to a commanding 10-1 lead and held off a late Longwood rally to secure the 13-10 non-conference win on a cold and windy Tuesday afternoon at Thompson Field.
With the win, Tech evens its overall record at 7-7 (1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) and holds a .500 mark for the first time since the Hokies were 4-4 earlier this season. The loss drops Longwood to 8-5 on the year. Virginia Tech now leads the series against the Lancers 3-2, defeating Longwood in three straight seasons.
Despite strong winds and cold temperatures, the Tech attack came out firing, as five different Hokies notched goals in the opening 20 minutes of play. Joanna Kiser (So., Severna Park, Md.) started the run with her first goal of the season less than three minutes in, while Allie Emala (So., Baltimore, Md.), Rachel Culp (Sr., Kent, Ohio) and Liz Carpenter (So., Lewes, Del.) all tallied multiple goals in that stretch.
The Lancers put two goals on the board to bring the score to 10-3 before Culp picked up her fourth goal of the day with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first frame to give Tech a comfortable 11-3 halftime lead.
Virginia Tech’s defense stifled the Longwood attack in the early going, limiting the Lancers to three goals on 15 shots. Kari Morrison (Sr., Springfield, Va.) made 10 saves in goal, many from point-blank range, during the opening period. Morrison’s 18 saves for the game was only one shy of her career high 19 saves registered against William and Mary a season ago.
After controlling the first half, the tables turned on the Hokies in the second period. Tech started the half well, with a free position goal from Jessica Nonn (Fr., Catonsville, Md.), her second goal of the game, but the Lancer attack came to life for six unanswered goals and cut the Hokie lead to 12-9. With six minutes left to play, Longwood had momentum on its side, yet Tech would deliver the final blow with Culp’s fifth score of the game to push the lead back to four goals. With the goal, Tech’s senior midfielder has tallied 48 goals this season, the third highest single-season total in Hokie history, trailing only Dawn Will’s 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Virginia Tech would win the ensuing draw control and run down the clock before Morrison made one final save with 1:34 remaining to secure the 13-10 victory.
Six different Hokies recorded a point for Tech in the contest, led by Culp with five goals and an assist. Emala registered three goals and two assists for her third multi-assist game of the season. Nonn and Carpenter both added two goals apiece while Caitlyn Wier (So., Cockeysville, Md.) dished out an assist.
Seven Lancers notched goals on the afternoon. Page Farmer paced the Longwood attack with three goals, followed closely by Dee Warehime with two scores.
The Hokies will end their non-conference slate on Saturday, April 11, as they travel to Oregon for their final road game of the season. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m.