September 19, 2006

BOX SCORE

Clemson, S.C.-- The Longwood University men’s soccer team held the powerful Clemson Tigers scoreless through the first 45 minutes, before falling 2-0 on two second half goals less than six minutes apart Wednesday evening at Riggs Field in Clemson, S.C.. The Clemson Tigers moved from second to first this week in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Poll. The loss puts Longwood at 1-6-1 on the season, while the Tigers remain undefeated with an 8-0 record. Longwood will return to action on Friday, September 22, as they travel to Florida Atlantic for a 1 p.m. Atlantic Soccer Conference match-up with the Owls.

In the first half, freshman Brain Germain/McLean (Langley) made a strong run down the middle of the field and fired a rocket at the edge of the box that sailed just wide keeping the game at 0-0 heading into halftime. Junior Trey Thorton/Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) kept the Lancer defense together, as the back line of Longwood kept everything in front of them in the opening half.

“The boys played with resilience tonight, remaining possessed and applied pressure to a strong Clemson squad,” stated second year head coach Jon Atkinson.

Clemson got the first break of the night, when the official whistled a foul in the box giving the Tigers a penalty shot with 27:02 to go in the game. Clemson’s Mark Buchholz fired the shot past junior keeper Brandt Youmans/Gaithersburg, Md. (Damascus) for the 1-0 lead. Clemson was able to counter on a Longwood mistake five minutes later, when an attempted clear was intercepting and chipped in by Dane Richards for the 2-0 lead with 21:55 remaining in the match.

Freshman Chernor Diallo/Alexandria (Mount Vernon) made his presence felt in through out the contest, as the 5-7 forward caused trouble all night for the Tigers’ defense. Longwood’s best opportunity of the night came off a late corner, as junior Max Griessbach/Bethesda, Md. (Walt Whitman) redirected the kick just wide of the post keeping the Lancers off the board.

Youmans finished the game with six saves in 83:29 of time in net, before being relieved by junior Tyler Marsh/Mechanicsville (Atlee) with 6:31 to go in the match-up.

“I think the last two match-ups have showed how much this team has progressed and matured early on,” said Atkinson. “If we take this intensity with us as we head into our conference matches we’ll have a good chance of making a run.”