Longwood University’s women’s soccer team experienced a season-opening loss to Richmond on Friday after Spiders forward Lexi Prillaman drilled home a go-ahead free kick in the first half to spark her team to a 3-0 win at the Longwood Athletics Complex.

By winning, the Spiders avenged the 1-0 loss the Lancers handed to them last year in Richmond.

Lindsay Egbers and Alyssa Walker added back-to-back insurance goals within five minutes of each other in the second half to back a five-save shutout from sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Stanfill.

Richmond’s three goals marked the most Longwood has allowed at home since a 3-3 draw against Presbyterian on Oct. 16, 2014 and the program’s biggest margin of defeat at home since a 4-1 loss to No. 3 Virginia Tech on Sept. 9, 2014.
The Lancers deployed four newcomers in Friday’s starting lineup, but it was three-time All-Big South selection Amanda Spencer who carried Longwood up front with a team-high four shots, putting two of those on goal.

Longwood matched Richmond with five shots on goal but gave up back-to-back goals in the 63rd and 67th minutes.

The Lancers now prepare for their next game, which will be a featured part of one of the biggest annual events on Longwood’s campus — the seventh edition of The Greatest Athletics March Ever (The G.A.M.E. 7.0).

It is the first time the annual march through Farmville will take place on the first Friday after classes resume instead of the first Sunday of New Lancer Days. Following the First Friday Back celebration at 3:30 p.m., The G.A.M.E. pep rally, featuring Town Manager Gerald Spates as a special guest speaker, and Longwood scarf distribution will kick off at 5:30 p.m. This will lead into the 6 p.m. march of participating students, faculty and community members to the Longwood Athletics Complex for the Longwood women’s soccer team’s showdown against 2015 Conference USA championship game participant Marshall at 7 p.m.

G.A.M.E. participants are encouraged to wear Longwood blue and white. Also, shuttles will be available to transport students to the event, as needed.

For those attending the game, the town of Farmville will host a special fireworks show.