Spiders Drop Season Opener on Heartbreaking Set Piece

Thursday, August 18

Farmville, VA

7 p.m.

University of Richmond

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Longwood

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Richmond

Longwood

Spiders Drop Season Opener on Heartbreaking Set Piece

08/18/2022 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The University of Richmond Spiders opened the 2022 campaign Thursday night at Longwood, falling 1-0 to the Lancers. Richmond outshot Longwood 25-9 in the match but gave up a goal off a corner kick in the 67^th minute, which ultimately proved detrimental to the Spiders.

"I'm definitely disappointed in the overall result of the game. There were a lot of things we did well. We created numerous chances and had three times the amount of shots as Longwood. We put a lot on frame, and their goalkeeper made some great saves, so full credit to the Longwood goalkeeper," said head coach Marty Beall. We gave up a goal on a set piece which is disappointing, but I have to do a better job teaching our kids their responsibilities on set pieces. We're going to use this as a learning experience and get ready for another tough road match at UNC Charlotte Sunday."

The Spiders came out aggressively, spending the majority of the game's early minutes in their attacking third, firing off five shots in the first seven minutes. Freshman Emma Shields registered the first chance for Richmond with her first collegiate shot on goal 26 seconds into the match, and the Spiders would enter halftime at a 0-0 stalemate outshooting the Lancers 12-1 while also holding the advantage in corners 6-3.

Goalkeeper Taylor Montague shut down a one versus one opportunity from Longwood in the 52^nd minute for her first save of the game, and she would go on to collect three saves in the second half.

Molly Wierman led the Spiders with four shots on the night, two on frame, while Shields, Jessie Prillaman, and Sofia Mancino each added three.

Shields and fellow freshman Kiley Fitzgerald each made their first collegiate start in the game while transfer sophomore Mancino joined them in making her debut in a Spider uniform.

Graduate student Katie Tritt, Richmond's second-leading scorer from 2019, made her return to the pitch when she checked into the game in the 30^th minute. Tritt missed the entire fall 2021 season due to injury and had not seen action for the Spiders since April 1, 2021.

Up next, the Spiders travel to UNC Charlotte Sunday for a 6 p.m. kickoff against the 49ers.

-- UR --