October 17, 2009

BOX SCORE

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Longwood University took a 3-2 men's soccer road triumph in overtime past regionally-ranked #8 UMBC of the America East Conference Saturday afternoon in Baltimore, Maryland. Sophomore midfielder Chris Saul/Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) scored the game-winner just 3:27 into the extra period for the Lancers who improved to 3-9-2 overall, while the Retrievers dropped to 10-3 overall. Longwood will play again on Saturday, October 24, hosting Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) opponent Howard University at the Athletics Complex in Farmville beginning at 3 p.m.. Admission is free.

UMBC, ranked #8 in the NSCAA Northeast Region, took the early 1-0 advantage at 23:25 on a goal by Andrew Bulls, assisted by Mark Lubetkin. The Retrievers made it 2-0 at 28:58 when Levi Houapeu tallied off assists from Bulls and Lubetkin. Longwood responded with two goals of its own as senior Brian Germain/McLean (Langley) scored at 35:59 from eight yards into the left corner of the net, assisted by sophomore Shane Johnson/Ashburn (Broad Run), before junior Harvey Headley/Coventry, England (Stoke Park) tied the match at 2-2 with a goal at 37:44. Headley tapped the loose ball in from close range after a corner kick from senior Martin Vickerton/Derbyshire, England (Kirk Hallam Tech) was re-directed by classmate Marcus Dixon/Gloucester (Gloucester) -- capping a wild 14:19 during which four goals were scored in the cold rain that fell all afternoon. It remained 2-2 at the intermission and throughout the second period before Saul found the net with his hard shot from 14 yards into the far left corner for sudden victory.

“When hunger and unity come together, this is the outcome that we can expect,” said fifth-year head coach Jon Atkinson. “UMBC has a fine team and we navigated through this game with professionalism.”

Longwood took an 18-12 advantage in shots, including 8-5 in attempts on-goal, and also had a 5-3 edge on corner kicks. Sophomore keeper Joel Helmick/Springfield (W.T. Woodson) played the entire match in front of the net for the Lancers with three saves. Phil Saunders played the duration for UMBC with three saves as well. The host Retrievers were nationally-ranked earlier this season.