October 23, 2010

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) member New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Harvey Headley | Coventry, England (Stoke Park) scored the only goal for the Lancers (2-10-3, 0-2-1 ASC) against the Highlanders (4-9, 1-0 ASC). It was the men's soccer reunion, and the 2000 CVAC Men's Soccer Championship team was recognized at halftime. Longwood returns to action on Friday, October 29, when it travels to Houston, Texas, to take on ASC opponent Houston Baptist University at 7 p.m..

“We started slow and incredibly tentative,” said sixth-year head coach Jon Atkinson. “That put us in a pretty deep hole. A better second half couldn't quite undo the horrors of the first half. We didn't represent the alumni, supporters or the University well today. We have to respond in our remaining matches to get something out of this challenging season.”

The Lancers fell behind early, as NJIT scored a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes to put Longwood in a hole. The Lancers had a chance to take the early lead themselves in the 11th minute after Headley sent a ball across the field to freshman Nick Surkamp | Manassas (Osbourn Park), but his shot went wide. The Highlanders' Emeka Nwachukwu scored the first goal off a rebound in the 14th minute before Papis Ciss scored in the 15th minute. NJIT outshot Longwood 13-5 in the first half.

The Lancers trailed 2-0 until the 84th minute, when Headley lined up a 35-yard free kick from the left side of the field and sent a curving ball to the far post, past the outstretched hands of the NJIT goalkeeper. Longwood made several runs in the final minutes, but they were stopped at the Highlander penalty box.

Junior goalkeeper Joel Helmick | Springfield (W.T. Woodson) allowed two goals with seven saves for Longwood. The Lancers were led offensively by Headley with one goal, followed by sophomore Devin Pierce | Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) with four shots and Surkamp with three shots. John Ricketti made three saves for the Highlanders, while Pete Walker attempted five shots and had one assist.