September 13, 2011

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision at Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Tuesday evening in Blacksburg. The Hokies (3-2-0) scored the only goal of the match in the 47th minute against the Lancers (1-3-1). Longwood returns to action on Saturday, September 17, when it hosts Towson University of the Colonial Athletic Association at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

“We had our destiny in our own hands for the first 45 minutes,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We created but couldn't convert excellent chances. We were outdone by one dubious set piece play early in the second half, but give Virginia Tech credit for pressing us back the rest of the game to make the goal become the decisive play. Niels had a fabulous game, he just missed on several free kicks and had a header go just wide.”

Longwood and Virginia Tech were tied until Drew Ranahan scored on a header off a corner kick from Ben Strong at 46:07. Junior Niels van Pelt|Den Haag, Netherlands (Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet) tried to even the score, but a free kick in the 53rd minute shaved the post following a Virginia Tech yellow card. The Lancers peppered the Hokies' goal with four shots in the final 10 minutes, but could not score.

Both teams attempted 14 shots while the Hokies had a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal and the Lancers had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. van Pelt attempted a match-high six shots, with one shot on goal, while freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County Secondary) had two shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) recorded three saves while the Lancers added two more team saves. Virginia Tech was paced by three players with two shots each. Kyle Renfro made four saves in the shutout.