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Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
GeevsGWU
Rob Simmons
9
Winner Radford RAD 4-12, 3-4 Big South
8
Longwood Lancers LWU 3-10, 2-5 Big South
Winner
Radford RAD
4-12, 3-4 Big South
9
Final
8
Longwood Lancers LWU
3-10, 2-5 Big South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Radford RAD 1 3 1 4 9
Longwood Lancers LWU 2 2 0 4 8

Game Recap: Women's Lacrosse |

Highlanders Pull Off Thrilling Comeback at Longwood, Secure Spot in Big South Tournament

FARMVILLE, Va. – Trailing by three goals midway through the final quarter, the Radford Highlanders women's lacrosse team scored four times over the final seven minutes, including the game-winner by Maggie Wisniewski in the final 15 seconds, to take a 9-8 triumph over Longwood on Wednesday night at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field.

Radford's win, the third in conference play, secures the Highlanders a spot in the Big South Tournament for the first time since the 2021 season.

KEY STATS
  • Maggie Wisniewski scored the game-winner on a terrific pass from Maddy Driscoll with 12 seconds left. After a lengthy review due to an officials mistake on the shot clock failing to be reset, the goal ultimately stood.
  • Evie Gee recorded her fifth hat trick of the season, scoring three times to lead the team. She added two late goals to help tie the contest with 5:12 remaining.
  • Ava LaManna made nine saves on 17 shots on goal, doing plenty enough to give her team a chance at the comeback.
  • Alyssa Yost was crucial in the win, leading all players with four draw controls. She also scored her first goal of the season in just her second game back from injury.
  • Mady Cheney finished with a pair of assists while also leading the team with four ground balls.
  • The win is Radford's first against Longwood since 2023 and first in Farmville since 2018.
PLAY BY PLAY
From the beginning, both sides settled in for a defensive duel. LaManna made a save in Longwood's first offensive trip but was unable to do the same on their second. Radford only had one quality shot on goal through much of the first quarter, as the Lancers defense caused havoc in the midfield. Though Radford avoided giving up a goal down several players due to fouls, Longwood got a second goal with 3:30 left in the first. Head Coach Samantha Jones called timeout and the regroup worked, with Radford winning the draw control and Maddy Driscoll scoring to make it 2-1 before the end of one.

Cassidy Deierlein wasted no time to even things at 2-2, scoring just a dozen seconds into the second quarter. Longwood went back ahead a few minutes later, but Hannah Hanger found the back of the net shortly after winning the draw control to even things again at 3-3. Longwood's Madison Rogers got her hat trick to make it 4-3 with 8:01 left before half. After a LaManna save on a free position shot, a methodical set by the Highlander offense led to a great cut and score by Cheney to even things for the third time. Radford managed to fend off a Longwood power play to keep it even at the break.

On Radford's first trip, Gee found space right in front and miraculously caught a great feed from Molly O'Brien to give the Highlanders their first lead at 5-4 with 13:02 left in the third quarter. The physicality picked up as both teams picked up multiple green cards for defensive infractions in the period. Driscoll had a free position shot opportunity to try and get her team ahead by two goals, but the attempt was saved by Isabella McCullough to keep it a one-goal game.

The Highlanders opened the fourth quarter a bit too complacent, and Longwood capitalized. The Lancers tied it with 12:56 left, then found the goal three more times to build what felt like a safe 8-5 advantage with 8:47 remaining. A LaManna save stopped the run, and Yost scored her first goal of the season on a rebound with 7:02 left to draw Radford a bit closer. A tough foul after Radford secured the draw control gave the Highlanders an advantage, and Gee cashed it in on a free position shot to make it 8-7. Still a woman up, Cheney won the draw control and later found Gee for her third goal of the night and more importantly the game-tying tally with 5:12 left.

Longwood took a timeout with 3:09 to draw up a play, but their shots missed high and eventually led to a turnover. Radford cleared and held on to shoot later in the shot clock. With 25 seconds left in the game, Cheney took a shot that was saved by Longwood's McCullough, which should have led to a shot clock reset, but the officials did not signal it in the moment. An ensuing scramble for the ball was won by Radford and led to what appeared to be a game-winning goal by Wisniewski with 11 seconds left. However, the officials noted the shot clock had expired, which would've resulted in Longwood possession and no goal. After a review, the officials realized the shot clock should have reset. After a lengthy discussion, the officials elected to let the goal stand for the Highlanders. Cheney won the ensuing draw control to secure the win.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders wrap up the regular season on Saturday vs. Wofford. First draw is set for Noon at the SORC, with video coverage of the contest streaming live on ESPN+.

Follow Women's Lacrosse on Social Media
For more information on the Radford women's lacrosse team, follow @RadfordWLAX on X and Instagram or Radford Lacrosse on Facebook.

#WantItMore | #RiseAndDefend
 
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