November 1, 2009

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team defeated Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) opponent Houston Baptist University 1-0 on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Chris Saul/Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) scored the game-winning goal for the Lancers. Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, November 3, when they host Clemson University of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 4 p.m. at the Athletics Complex on Senior Day.

Houston Baptist (6-10, 2-2 ASC) pushed early and attempted six corner kicks in the first half, including three in a row before Longwood (5-10-2, 2-2 ASC) could clear the ball. Longwood scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute as senior Brian Germain/McLean (Langley) took the ball down the middle of the field before passing to a streaking Saul on the right wing. Saul ripped a shot from the corner of the penalty box and found the upper corner of the net, giving Longwood a 1-0 lead.

Longwood held the lead throughout the second half. The Lancers had a strong scoring opportunity in the 87th minute when Giovanni Peralta/Lorton (Robert E. Lee) led a breakaway down the left sideline with just the goalkeeper to beat. The keeper stopped Peralta's shot to keep the score 1-0.

“We did what we had to do to win today,” said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. “We have played better recently and the win is nice. We focused on getting the result and that's what mattered.”

Senior Harvey Headley/Coventry, England (Stoke Park) led Longwood with four shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Joel Helmick/Springfield (W.T. Woodson) earned his third shutout of the season and posted two saves in goal for Longwood. Six different HBU players attempted shots with two of those shots on goal. Chris Dodd had four saves in goal for Houston Baptist.

The Lancers outshot the Huskies 11-6 while HBU had a 7-6 edge in corner kicks.