September 24, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team dropped a disappointing 3-1 decision to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County of the America East Conference on Saturday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) scored for the Lancers (3-4-1) in the first half but it was not enough as UMBC (3-2-2) rallied to score three goals in the second half, including the match-winner by Pete Caringi in the 64th minute. Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, September 27, when it takes on the United States Naval Academy of the Patriot League at 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Maryland.

The Lancers jumped out an early 1-0 lead after Surkamp collected a loose ball on the left side of the box and worked his way across the field before drilling a hard shot under the keeper to the far post at 4:57. Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) preserved the 1-0 lead with three saves in the first half, including a diving save on a free kick from 25 yards out in the 30th minute. Longwood had an opportunity to score in the 41st minute, but a diving header from senior Zach Mahon|San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) grazed the crossbar and sailed out of play. The Lancers led 1-0 at halftime.

Longwood opened the second half with a hard shot by Surkamp in the 52nd minute, but the UMBC goalkeeper made the save. UMBC tied the match at 62:51 when Sean Rothe launched a deflected ball under a diving Helmick. The Retrievers scored the match-winning goal at 63:37 when Caringi sent a shot to the far post under Helmick and added an insurance goal at 66:41.

“We got off to a great start with a well-taken goal, which should have signified the base to push on and put together a meaningful performance, but we lost our way,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “Not being able to deal with UMBC's direct style of play got them level and tilted the momentum in their favor. The first goal was critical and we fell apart for 10 minutes where we conceded the goals. We finished strong, but the damage was done. Fair play to UMBC, they outfought us tonight.”

UMBC outshot Longwood 14-11 while the Lancers had an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks. Longwood was paced by Mahon with four shots while Surkamp attempted three shots, all of them on goal. Helmick made four saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal. The Retrievers were led by Caringi with one goal and one assist and Milo Kapor with two assists. Dan Louisignau recorded five saves while playing the duration in goal.