September 20, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team (3-3-1) improved to .500 on Saturday afternoon in Farmville, as the team defeated VMI (0-5) 3-2. The Lancers freshmen continued their impressive seasons as both Kevin Chico/Harrisonburg (Eastern Mennonite) and Zach Mahon/San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) picked up their first goals of the season. Longwood returns to the field on September 24 as they head to Richmond for a face-off with the Spiders at 7 p.m.

The Lancers were in complete control of the first half, outshooting the Keydets and astounding 11-5, while having a 5-1 advantage in corners. Mahon kicked off the scoring for the Lancers in the 15th minute, taking on the Keydet keeper one versus one. Mahon got the best of the VMI keeper, pulling him out of his box and slipping the ball past him on the left. Longwood would continue to dominate possession, coming up with several near chances, before a handball in the box earned the team a penalty kick. Sophomore Harvey Headley/Coventry, England (Stoke Park) stepped up to the ball for the Lancers, burying his team high third goal in the back of the Keydet goal.
   
The second half would start off a little different than the first with VMI coming out of the locker room and putting the pressure on the Lancers. The shot count in the second half would look much closer than in the first with the Lancers only having a 6-5 advantage.  Sonny Landry would earn back one of the Keydet goals in the 50th minute after his shot found its way to the far post.
   
Chico would put the Lancers up 3-1 in the 53rd minute, firing a shot from outside the 18-yard box that navigated its way to goal. The Keydets would manage to get one more goal in before the end of the game, but it would not be enough to take out an impressive Longwood side. 
   
“We played a good brand of football,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “It's always good to grind out results.  VMI came out and pressed us hard in the second half, just like we expected them to. The game could have been prettier, but the boys did a very nice job. The second half was much scrappier than the first, which happens. We allowed in two goals that could have been avoided, but overall a win is a win.”
   
Sophomore Avery Makel/Nellysford (Nelson County) picked up his first complete game of his career, coming up with six big saves.