October 19, 2011

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Longwood University men's soccer team topped UNC Greensboro of the Southern Conference 2-0 on Wednesday evening in Greensboro, North Carolina. Junior Patrick McDaniel|Midlothian (Cosby) scored his first goal of the season in the fifth minute, while sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) added an insurance goal in the 58th minute. Senior Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) recorded his fifth shutout this season for the Lancers (8-6-1) against the Spartans (5-7-1). Longwood returns to action on Saturday, October 22, when it hosts Atlantic Soccer Conference opponent Howard University at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

McDaniel gave Longwood the early 1-0 lead when he redirected a corner kick from senior Chris Saul|Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) into the back of the net at 4:38. In the second half, senior Shane Johnson|Ashburn (Broad Run) had a shot sail just over the crossbar in the 56th minute. Surkamp added an insurance goal after sophomore Brian Henry|Stafford (Colonial Forge) slipped a pass to freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County) at the edge of the box. Crandall hit Surkamp in stride and he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper at 57:08 to give the Lancers the 2-0 lead. Freshman Anthony Ugorji|Washington, D.C. (Archbishop Carroll) attempted to add to the Longwood lead, but his shot bounced off the crossbar in the 76th minute.

“Anytime you can get a result on the road is a plus, but to do it against quality opposition tastes even better,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We had to work extremely hard to close space, but I thought we had the better chances tonight. I would have been disappointed if we had not come away with the result tonight. This endorses the coaching staff's belief that this squad is capable of great things, and I know we haven't hit the high notes yet. That's back-to-back road wins; I can't recall the last time we have done that. It would be a waste if we didn't do something with the rest of the season.”

Longwood outshot UNC Greensboro 17-14, including an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal, while the Spartans had a 10-8 edge in corner kicks. Crandall attempted a match-high seven shots with three shots on goal, while three others attempted two shots. Helmick made six saves as he earned his fifth shutout of the season. UNCG was paced by Hakan Ilhan and Austin Miller with three shots each, while Davis Griffin recorded six saves while playing the duration in goal.