September 5, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -  Despite horrible weather conditions the Longwood University men's soccer team (2-1) defeated George Washington (1-1-1) by the score of 2-1 on Friday night at the Athletics Complex. The Lancers game winning goal came from freshman Shane Johnson/Ashburn (Broad Run), who found the back of the net in the 73rd minute of action. Longwood returns to action on September 10 at 7:30 p.m. as they take on High Point in High Point, N.C.
   
“It's always great to get a win, but winning at home is especially exciting,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We played a great 90 minutes of soccer and deserved the win. George Washington is a tough team to break down and deserve credit, but I'm very proud of our boys.”
   
The game got off to a quick start with the Lancers asserting their dominance at junior Chernor Diallo/Alexandria (Mount Vernon) headed the ball past the George Washington keeper in the third minute of the game, after being set up by classmate Giovanni Peralta/Lorton (Robert E. Lee). Longwood continued to push the tempo, keeping the Colonials under pressure in their own end, taking the edge in first half shots 6-3.
   
The Colonials would earn a goal back, sneaking one past the Lancer backline in the 14th minute. The goal would be the last of the first half, sending both teams into the locker room tied 1-1.
   
The rain would pick up in the second half, soaking the field of competition. Despite the weather conditions the Lancers would continue to have the run of play. Diallo almost scored his second goal of the game in the 56th minute firing a shot toward goal, but the Colonial defense would stiffle the effort. The Lancers would take a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute as ?Johnson collected a rebound in the Colonial six-yard box, one-timing it into the back of the net. 
  
“Shane was outstanding,” said Atkinson. “Our backline was solid all game and deserve a lot of credit, but I'm very excited for Shane, who deserves the glory for playing a great game as a freshman and scoring the game winning goal.”
   
Things would get interesting in the final seconds of the game as George Washington earned a corner kick that nearly found its way into the goal. The Colonials would fire several shots at the Lancer backline as time ran out, but were unable to slip one past the solid front.
   
Freshman goalkeeper Joel Helmick/Springfield (W.T. Woodson) played all 90 minutes in net recording five saves.