October 5, 2010

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team defeated Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference 1-0 on Tuesday night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Devin Pierce | Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) scored the match-winning goal in the 70th minute for the Lancers (1-8-2). Virginia Tech (3-6-1) had a shot to tie the match in the final seconds, but a shot from 25 yards ricocheted off of the crossbar as time expired. Longwood returns to action on Saturday, October 9, when they travel to Washington, D.C., to take on Atlantic Soccer Conference foe Howard University at 7 p.m..

“It was a fantastic result for us tonight,” said sixth-year head coach Jon Atkinson. “We showed great character in the match. We have had extra focus in practice this week, and it paid dividends. To beat a caliber opponent like Virginia Tech is great for the program and the University. It should be a launching pad as we start our conference schedule.”

Both teams worked to find their rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the match, with Longwood drawing a corner kick and Virginia Tech launching the first shot of the match. Virginia Tech's Clarke Bentley hit a well-struck ball that bounced off of the left post in the 21st minute, but was cleared away by the Lancers. Longwood had a 3-1 advantage on corner kicks in the first half, while Virginia Tech outshot Longwood 3-1.

In the second half, the Hokies came out firing, but junior goalkeeper Joel Helmick | Springfield (W.T. Woodson) came up with his first save of the match by picking off a header attempt following a corner kick. Freshman Chandler Tulin | Bear, Del. (Caravel Academy) worked in to free space 25 yards from the goal, but his shot sailed wide in the 62nd minute. The Lancers broke through in the 70th minute when Pierce took a pass from sophomore Michael Tegler | Stafford (North Stafford) from the right side, turned and fired a shot past the goalkeeper from the top of the box. The Lancers fought off four more shots by the Hokies, including a shot that was blocked in the goal box, before Greg Cochrane launched a shot with two seconds left that bounced off the crossbar. Thee ball landed outside the penalty box and time expired before either team could gain control of the ball.

Helmick recorded two saves in the shutout victory. The Lancers were led offensively by Pierce with one goal on two shots.

James Daly allowed one goal and made one save in 90 minutes in goal for the Hokies. Robert Alberti led the Hokies offensively with two shots.

Virginia Tech outshot Longwood 10-4 and had a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.