'Cats Advance to Semifinals with First Opening-Round Win since 2000

Thursday, November 1

Palo Alto, Calif.

TBD

Davidson College Athletics

Longwood

Catherine Ransone netted the game-winner in the 'Cats 4-2 win over Longwood. (Photo by Brian Westerholt)

'Cats Advance to Semifinals with First Opening-Round Win since 2000

11/1/2007 3:21:37 PM | Field Hockey

Lauren Biggers -- Assistant SID

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. — Senior forward Catherine Ransone netted the game-winner, and 2007 NorPac Player of the Year Kayli Maxwell added an insurance goal as the clock wound down on the fourth-seeded 'Cats' 4-2 win over the fifth-seeded Longwood Lancers in the first round of the 2007 NorPac Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Stanford University.

With its first opening-round win since 2000, Davidson will advance to the semifinals to face No. 1-seeded California tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. (EST). The winners of today's afternoon games between Pacific and Radford and Stanford and Appalachian State will meet in the second semifinal tomorrow at 6 p.m. The championship game will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Davidson improves to 10-8 overall, while Longwood falls to 6-15. The 'Cats have not won an opening-round game since their first season as a member of the NorPac, when they beat Pacific, 3-1, on Nov. 2, 2000. Davidson last won a tournament game on Nov. 5, 2004, with a 2-0 triumph over former NorPac member Saint Louis in the consolation game.

"Today was a total team effort," head coach Ginny Sutton said. "It was an intense 70 minutes. We played with a lot of confidence, and it showed with how well we moved the ball. Scoring the first goal gave us the momentum, and we played well enough to win. It was a great win for our team, and we are excited and ready to play again tomorrow."

Longwood took control early, but a key defensive save by 2007 NorPac Defensive Player of the Year Jen Willis kept the game scoreless until junior midfielder Britti Himelfarb posted her fifth goal of the season to put the 'Cats on top. Selected to the All-NorPac Second Team last night, Himelfarb collected her own rebound with 18:34 remaining in the first half and put a shot past Longwood keeper Avanell Schmitz for the first score of the game.

Longwood's Erin Murphy knotted the score in the 42nd minute on a free hit, but senior forward Eleanor Cowley put the 'Cats back on top in the 49th minute on a penalty corner. On a beautifully executed corner, Himelfarb and Ransone assisted on Cowley's sixth score of the season.

Carla Binnewies, an All-NorPac Second Team selection last night, tied the score again with her fourth goal of the season, taking an insert pass from Melissa Strickland in for the score, but Ransone added her ninth goal of the season under two minutes later to put the 'Cats on top for good. Willis just missed the goal on a shot off a penalty corner in the 53rd minute, but Ransone put away the rebound for the game-winner.

Maxwell's league-leading 14th goal of the season put the game out of reach for the Lancers in the final seconds of the game and lifted the 'Cats to the 4-2 win, as Ransone picked up her second assist of the game.

Sophomore goalkeeper Christa Goeke, an All-NorPac First Team selection last night, finished the game with eight saves in 70 minutes, while Schmitz tallied nine for the Lancers.

Davidson outshot the Lancers 18-14, but Longwood earned a narrow 11-10 edge on penalty corners.

The 'Cats will face No. 1 California tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the first semifinal game.