October 24, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team faced off against the Liberty Flames on Friday night, ending things in a 1-1 stalemate after taking the game into two overtime periods. The tie is the Lancers second in as many games, taking their record to 6-4-2 on the season, while the Flames are now 8-5-1. Longwood returns to the field on Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m. to take on N.C. State.
   
The Longwood defense was put to the test and held strong in the first half, with Liberty having the run of play. Despite having the advantage in possession, the Flames only managed to get off five shots to the Lancers four. Freshman goal keeper Joel Helmick/Springfield (W.T. Woodson) was the general in the back for the Lancers, keeping the Longwood backline organized and composed.
   
Play picked up in the second half with both teams taking it at each other. In the midst of the back and forth battle a careless foul in the penalty box by the Flames set up the Lancers to take a 1-0 lead. Junior Martin Vickerton/Derbyshire, England (Kirk Hallam Technical College) stepped up to take the penalty kick for the Lancers, calmly slipping it past the Liberty keeper.
  
Longwood nearly got another goal in the 68th minute with a shot by freshman Shane Johnson/Ashburn (Broad Run). Johnson went into the box strong, getting his head on a pass but directed it straight at the Liberty goal tender. Liberty would rebound with a shot of its own three minutes later, before netting the game tying goal in the 76th minute.
   
Neither team would be able to the game winning goal in regulation, sending them into overtime.  The Longwood defense came up strong in the first overtime period, shutting down the three Liberty chances. The second overtime period once again saw the Longwood defense deny Liberty from scoring.
   
Helmick picked up another complete game for the Lancers, coming up with two saves.