11.13.2011

Box Score

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - The Longwood University men's soccer team tied Adelphi University 0-0 but claimed the Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Championship 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout on Sunday afternoon in Garden City, New York. Senior Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) made nine saves in 110:00 in goal, then stopped two penalty kicks in the shootout for the second consecutive match.  Junior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) converted on a penalty kick in the eighth round to give the Lancers the title over Adelphi (8-9-2). Longwood ends the season with an 11-6-3 record and a seven-match unbeaten streak that started on October 15 at Davidson College. The program reached 11 wins for the first time since 2002.

Both teams attempted six shots in the first half, including a header by sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) in the ninth minute that bounced off the crossbar. Senior Zack Mahon|San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) had a header stopped by Adelphi goalkeeper Kyle Blackmer in the 19th minute and Surkamp had a scoring opportunity in the 42nd minute, but his shot was also stopped by Blackmer. Helmick made one save in the first half.

Adelphi increased its offensive pressure in the second half, outshooting the Lancers 15-2. The Lancers did have a scoring opportunity in the 83rd minute, but a shot by senior Chris Saul|Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) was stopped by Blackmer. Helmick made five saves in the second half.

In the first overtime, both teams attempted a pair of shots. Adelphi outshot Longwood 4-0 in the second overtime period, and Helmick made a pair of saves. In the penalty kick shootout, junior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) made his shot in the second round to tie the kicks 1-1. Sophomore Brian Henry|Stafford (Colonial Forge) kicked fourth and made his kick to tie the shootout 2-2. Adelphi made their next kick, but Saul kept the Lancers alive by converting in the fifth round to tie the shootout 3-3. Junior Adel Sarras|Burke (Annandale) made his attempt in the sixth round, then both teams missed in the seventh round. Llana converted in the eighth round to give the Lancers the title.

“This has been nothing short of a remarkable turnaround for this program and a sweet ending for four deserving seniors,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “There is no better send-off for Joel, Chris, Shane and Zack. We salute them and wish them every success in the future. Today was all about getting the result and going a man down made this an incredible effort. Joel will deservedly get the plaudits after saving four penalty kicks during the tournament, but the team was incredible and we can look forward to next year with this victory resonating in our minds.”

Adelphi outshot Longwood 27-10 and had a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal, while both teams earned five corner kicks. Surkamp attempted three shots, and Mahon and freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County) each attempted a pair for the Lancers. Helmick made nine saves and also stopped two shots in the shootout. Adelphi was led by Steven Rivera with six shots, while Mauricio Mora and Issa Tall attempted five shots each. Blackmer made three saves while playing the duration in goal.