October 22, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team ran past Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) member Howard University 5-0 on Saturday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Five players scored for the Lancers (9-6-1, 1-2 ASC) against the Bison (2-10-2, 0-2 ASC), led by senior Zack Mahon|San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) and sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) with one goal and one assist each. Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, October 25, when it faces High Point University of the Big South Conference at 7 p.m. in High Point, North Carolina.

The Lancers struck first at 12:03 when Surkamp passed the ball to Mahon, who ripped a shot past the keeper from the right side. Longwood added two goals in the 31st minute, the first by freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County) from the right side at 30:06 and the second on a header by Surkamp off a cross from Mahon at 30:59. The Lancers led 3-0 at halftime and had a 16-1 advantage in shots.

In the second half, Longwood added to the lead when junior Niels van Pelt|Den Haag, Netherlands (Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet) scored from the top of the box at 48:02. Freshman Peter Sullivan|Herndon (Herndon) capped the Longwood scoring with a penalty kick goal at 70:58. Sullivan set up the play after he worked his way through several defenders, then passed to an open Surkamp who was taken down just inside the penalty box, drawing the penalty kick.

“This was a crucial test for us today, that we came through with flying colors,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “Having dug a hole in New York, we had to get back on track with a conference win to set up a do-or-die encounter with Houston Baptist next Friday. We asked the lads to be focused and disciplined, and stick to a game plan whether we got the early goal or not. I'm delighted that they executed so the squad could enjoy what turned out to be a comfortable night. As a coach, you don't get too many games that roll your way and we will enjoy it for the short time before we soon get back to action against a potent High Point team on the road.”

Longwood outshot Howard 24-3, including 14-2 in shots on goal, and had a 12-2 advantage in corner kicks. Crandall attempted a match-high eight shots, while van Pelt had four shots and Surkamp and senior Chris Saul|Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) attempted three shots each. Senior Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) played 75:30 in goal with two saves, while freshman Paul Hegedus|Ashburn, Va. (Broad Run) played the final 14:30 to preserve the shutout. Howard was paced by three players with one shot each. Bison goalkeeper Eric Hamilton made eight saves while playing the duration in goal.

Longwood's five goals marks the most goals in a match since an eight-goal outburst in an 8-0 victory over Erskine College on November 2, 2002.