11.14.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. - 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. The Lancers made it to the championship match after tying Houston Baptist University 1-1 but advanced on penalty kicks 4-2. Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) stopped two kicks in each shootout. Longwood ended 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.
 
Recapping The ASC Tournament
Longwood claimed the ASC Championship on Sunday in a penalty kick shootout over host Adelphi in Garden City, New York. 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 senior Chris Saul|Pasadena, Md. (Chesapeake) 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. Junior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) converted in the eighth round to give the Lancers the title. Joel Helmick stopped two shots in the shootout and made nine saves in 110 minutes.
 
In the semifinals against Houston Baptist, Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County) scored in the 66th minute for the Lancers, but Houston Baptist answered with a goal in the 90th minute to force overtime. The Lancers advanced in the penalty kick shootout 4-2 after Helmick made a pair of saves. Helmick recorded six saves in 110 minutes.

Coach Atkinson On The 2011 Season
“It is hard to describe in words the season we have just witnessed. For me, the culmination of the tournament victory over a worthy adversary, Adelphi, has to be the crowning glory, but the work was already in progress long before these boys returned to campus. Many had been humbled from last season and went about their summer to make amends. The spirit and unity shown in the camp, as well as the talent throughout, underlined a confidence that began to resonate as the season progressed. Having returned unsuccessfully from our first New York trip back in October, something clicked leading to a five-match winning streak and seven-match unbeaten streak against some stiff competition, culminating in a conference championship.
 
“By the time we reached the conference tournament, the lads and coaching staff had a feeling it was written but didn't quite know just how unique the ending would be. Losing a goal with 37 seconds left in the semifinal game to HBU, having had a chance 20 seconds earlier to wrap up the game, could have sunk lesser teams, but we stood firm. Penalty kicks may not be everyone's favored ending, but it is surely exciting. Our lads nailed theirs, and Joel was a man mountain.

“The final was something to behold. While the game was finely poised, and then having to play the last 45 minutes of regulation and OT a man down, we witnessed a true spirit of unity within the camp, willing us to the end and nearly snatching it late on. How can you script this any better to have your four seniors cap their final game of collegiate athletics against their foe under the stress of PK's on the opponent's field? We had our moments during the shootout, no question, but like I said before, it was written and we had Joel, who was immense all season, having the tournament of his life stopping four penalty kicks. While we have had some great accolades and individual honors this season, no one would begrudge Joel being tournament MVP. Those seniors came in with a conference championship win and can now go out with one. We wish them nothing but success and thank them for their example to their underclassmen.
 
“Any time a fledgling Division I program can reach double-digit wins is a reason to celebrate, and the boys, coaching staff of Eduardo and Don, and support staff, who have all laid a hand on this program deserve a massive pat on the back. Our fans at home have been spectacular all season and the parents with their unwavering loyalty providing support as well as the after-game tailgating have all played their part to make this the best season Longwood has tasted. It is never a bad thing having to wait for next fall with the memory of last seasons success still ringing in your ears, but we have to know what made ourselves successful this time out and remain humble in our approach to try and replicate it and, who knows, try and go one better.
 
“Go Lancers!”
 
All-Conference Recognition
Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) was named ASC Player of the Year, and Zach Crandall earned ASC Rookie of the Year honors, as announced Thursday, Nov. 14,  at the league's annual awards banquet. Joining Surkamp and Crandall on the All-ASC First Team were seniors Joel Helmick, Shane Johnson|Ashburn (Broad Run) and Zack Mahon|San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) and junior Niels van Pelt|Den Haag, Netherlands (Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet). Junior Patrick McDaniel|Midlothian (Cosby) was named to the All-ASC Second Team. Mahon and Johnson also earned a spot on the ASC All-Academic Team.

Longwood In The ASC Tournament
2011 was Longwood's fifth appearance in the ASC Tournament. The Lancers are 3-2-4 in tournament matches and claimed the ASC Tournament title in 2008 and 2011. Longwood was the runner-up in 2007 and 2009.

It's Been A Good Year
Longwood won 11 matches for the first time since 2002 when the squad posted a 12-6-1 record.

Unbeaten
Longwood ended the season on a seven-match unbeaten streak, starting with a 2-0 victory at Davidson. The streak included five consecutive wins, followed by a pair of ties at the ASC Tournament.
 
Five-Straight
Longwood won five-straight matches, starting with a 2-0 victory at Davidson. Three of the wins were on the road. The Lancers' last defeat was on October 11, in double overtime at NJIT 1-0. It was the longest winning streak since a five-match winning streak in 2007.

Senior Night
Longwood recognized four seniors on Friday, Oct. 28., prior to the home finale against Houston Baptist. Goalkeeper Joel Helmick, defender Shane Johnson, forward Zack Mahon and midfielder Chris Saul were honored for their contributions to the program.

Leading the Lancers
Nick Surkamp led the Lancers with 11 goals and two assists for 24 points while Zach Crandall scored nine goals with two assists for 20 points. Zack Mahon added four goals with three assists, while Niels van Pelt scored three goals with four assists for 10 points. Joel Helmick has played 1864:29 in goal and allowed 0.92 goals with a .791 save percentage and six shutouts.

Advantages
Longwood outscored opponents 33-19 this season and outshot opponents 264-221, including 133-97 in shots on goal. The Lancers led their opponents 123-73 in corner kicks.
 
Early Work
Longwood outscored opponents 16-3 in the first half with a 129-70 advantage in shots.

Shutout
Joel Helmick recorded 14 shutouts in his four-year career, with at least one shutout every season after his season-opening perfect match against visiting Randolph College and a clean sheet against Towson. He also added shutouts against Radford, Davidson, UNC Greensboro and Adelphi.
 
Freshmen Scorers
Zach Crandall finished second on the team with nine goals this season. Taylor Evans|South Riding (Freedom) scored one goal against VMI, his first collegiate goal. Peter Sullivan|Herndon (Herndon) added a penalty kick goal against Howard, his first collegiate goal.

ASC Awards (10.31)
Nick Surkamp was named Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Player of the Week, Zach Crandall earned ASC Rookie of the Week honors, and Joel Helmick was named ASC Goalkeeper of the Week for matches ending Sunday, Oct. 30. The trio swept the awards for the second consecutive week and helped the Lancers (11-6-1, 2-2 ASC) to a 2-1 victory over High Point University of the Big South Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and a 2-1 conference win over Houston Baptist University on Friday, Oct. 28.

ASC Awards (10.24)
Nick Surkamp was named ASC Player of the Week, Zach Crandall earned ASC Rookie of the Week honors, and Joel Helmick was named ASC Goalkeeper of the Week for matches ending Sunday, Oct. 23. The trio helped the Lancers to a 2-0 victory at UNC Greensboro of the Southern Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 19, and a 5-0 conference victory over Howard University on Saturday, Oct. 22.

ASC Awards (10.3)
Zach Crandall was named Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Player of the Week, Niels van Pelt earned ASC Rookie of the Week honors, and Joel Helmick was named ASC Goalkeeper of the Week for matches ending Sunday, Oct. 2. The trio helped the Lancers (5-4-1) to a 2-1 victory at the United States Naval Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and a 3-1 win over the University of Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Home Field
Longwood has posted a 27-18-8 record at the Athletics Complex since the facility opened for the 2006 season, including a 5-2 mark in 2009. The Lancers went 6-2-1 at home in 2011.

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Jon Atkinson finished his ninth season at Longwood, his seventh as head coach. He has posted a 48-55-22 record as head coach and is assisted by assistant coach Eduardo de Souza and volunteer assistant coach Don Herlan.