Radford hosts Longwood in its NorPac opener Saturday at 2 p.m. from RU Field Hockey Field. The Highlanders are the last squad in the league to begin NorPac play, while the Lancers defeated Davidson in its opener last weekend.

This will be the 21st meeting between the schools with Radford holding a 11-7-2 edge in the series. The Highlanders won a penalty shootout thriller at home last season, but the Lancers won a pair in Farmville including a first round NorPac match.

In the match at RUFH Field last season, Radford out shot Longwood 32-3, but Erin West made 25 saves, including nine in the first overtime helping the Lancers into the shootout. During the shootout, which went two rounds, RU keeper Megan Stucke stopped four Longwood strokes and Marlee Schramm (Mantua, N.J./West Deptford) converted both of her attempts helping Radford win it 4-3.

Since joining the NorPac in 2001, Radford is 27-20 (14-2 at home) in regular season contests and have claimed two East Division regular season titles in 2002 and 2004 (6-0). The Highlanders, who have reached the tournament semifinals five times, remain the only East squad to reach the conference championship match. The 2003 runner-up was defeated by Cal, 5-2, in St. Louis.

The Highlanders have split in their last two contests, defeating Robert Morris, 5-0, at home last Sunday before falling at No. 15 James Madison, 8-1, on Wednesday evening.

Against the Colonials, five different Highlanders scored which included first collegiate goals from sophomore Lynsey Daughtrey (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) and freshman Jennifer Balka (Wall, N.J./Wall). Sophomore Madonna Wadolowski (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon) and junior Megan Lenhardt (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) both dished out two assists. Junior Jen Wisniewski (Centreville, Va./Westfield) made two saves to earn her second shutout of the season.

On Wednesday, the Dukes were too much for the Highlanders scoring four goals in each half. Wadolowski tallied her first goal of the season, while Lenhardt and sophomore Niamh Connolly (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) recorded defensive saves for Radford.

Sophomore Courtney Poole (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) paces Radford's offensive attack with four goals, tying her for fourth in the conference. Wadolowski has recorded a team-best three assists, tying her for fourth in the NorPac.

Longwood is coming off a 3-2 victory over Davidson last Sunday. Reigning East Division Offensive Player of the Week Julia Hernandez notched two of the Lancers three goals, including the game-winner in the 55th minute. East Division Rookie of the Week Taylor Bender scored the other goal for the Lancers.

Radford heads to Davidson, tomorrow at noon to take on new league member UC Davis in a non-conference match. The Highlanders return home on Wednesday, Oct. 7, hosting Appalachian State under the lights at 6 p.m.