October 5, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University took a 1-0 double-overtime men's soccer victory over in-state opponent Radford University of the Big South Conference on Wednesday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) scored the match-winning goal on a header off a long ball from junior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) in the 106th minute. Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) recorded his third shutout of the season for the Lancers (6-4-1) against the Highlanders (5-5). Longwood returns to action on Saturday, October 8, when it travels to Garden City, New York, to open Atlantic Soccer Conference play against Adelphi University at 4 p.m..

Longwood was aggressive early in the evenly played match. In the 13th minute, senior Chris Saul|Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) worked the ball near midfield and sent a pass through to freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County), but he could not get a shot off as the keeper came out and took the ball off of his foot at the edge of the 18-yard box. The Lancers outshot the Highlanders 6-2 in the opening period, but could not convert on any of the opportunities.

Radford took its turn as the aggressor late in the second half, but Helmick turned away the Highlanders with three saves in the final 17 minutes. In the 78th minute, junior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) deflected a shot over the crossbar as he stood one step off the goal line to preserve the 0-0 tie. Longwood had the last scoring opportunity of regulation, but a header by Crandall was punched over the crossbar and into the top of the net by the backpedaling Radford goalkeeper as time expired.

Both teams attempted three shots in the first overtime period, but struggled to put the ball on target. The Lancers scored in the second overtime period when they drew a free kick from just across midfield. Llana lifted the ball from 55-yards out to the waiting head of Surkamp at the top of the penalty box, who flicked the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper for the 1-0 victory.

“For whatever reason, we didn't play particularly well tonight, but the difference between our current team and last year's squad is they are finding a way to win,” said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. “That's important for this program and will breed some good confidence leading into our conference games this weekend. I want to thank our great fans who willed us to victory; they were our 12th man tonight.”

Longwood and Radford each attempted 13 shots, while the Lancers had a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. Longwood was paced by Surkamp with five shots, including two shots on goal, while Crandall added two shots, both on goal. Helmick made four saves in 105:20 to earn the 11th shutout victory of his career. Radford was paced by four players with two shots. Dane Wilson made six saves and allowed one goal while playing the duration in goal.