November 6, 2010

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team dropped a 4-1 decision to visiting High Point University of the Big South Conference on Saturday evening on Senior Night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Longwood (2-12-4) was led by freshman Nick Surkamp | Manassas (Osbourn Park) who scored the only goal against the Panthers (14-3-1). The Lancers return to action on Thursday, November 11, when they play in the opening round of the Atlantic Soccer Conference Tournament on the campus of Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.

“You have to give High Point the credit, they're a good, well-coached team,” said sixth-year head coach Jon Atkinson. “We came out slow and tentative. Their efficiency was applaudable, but avoidable. We regrouped in the second half and created chances and played through to the final whistle. We've had some tough results this season, but we hope to go to New York and finish the season on a high, and get the results we have worked for.”

High Point grabbed the early lead in the match when Scott Rojo took a pass from Shane Malcom and scored from eight yards in the fifth minute. The Panthers added two more goals before halftime to take a 3-0 lead into the break. High Point made the most of its opportunities in the first half as it scored three goals on just six shots.

In the second half, the Lancers trimmed the lead to 3-1 when Surkamp fired a shot that deflected off a High Point defender and into the goal in the 72nd minute. The Panthers extended the lead to 4-1 in the 79th minute when Alex Martinez ripped a shot from just outside the 18-yard box, the only High Point goal from outside the box.

High Point edged Longwood on shots 14-13 and had a 4-2 advantage on corner kicks. Junior Joel Helmick | Springfield (W.T. Woodson) made four saves and allowed four goals in the loss. The Lancers were led offensively by Surkamp with one goal on three shots. Senior Harvey Headley | Coventry, England (Stoke Park) and junior Vinnie Llana | Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) each had three shots as well. High Point goalkeeper Michael Chesler made six saves and allowed one goal. The Panthers were led offensively by Rojo with one goal and three assists, while Martinez, Shawn Sloan and Fejiro Okiomah all added one goal each.

The Lancers recognized three team members on senior day in seniors Phil Chaves | Leesburg (Radford) and Headley and junior Cody Merkes | Chesapeake (Hickory).

“It was not the way we wanted to send our seniors out. Harvey has done more than his fair share to help this team become successful. We'll see if we can get a better result in New York.”
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