September 27, 2011

Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Longwood University men's soccer team defeated the United States Naval Academy of the Patriot League 2-1 on Tuesday evening in Annapolis, Maryland. Sophomore Nick Surkamp|Manassas (Osbourn Park) scored the match-winning goal in the 80th minute, while junior Niels van Pelt|Den Haag, Netherlands (Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet) had a pair of assists for the Lancers (4-4-1) against the Midshipmen (3-4-3). Longwood is back in action on Saturday, October 1, when it hosts the University of Richmond of the Atlantic 10 Conference at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

The Lancers jumped out to a 1-0 lead when van Pelt took the ball to the end line, then found freshman Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County) wide-open in the middle of the box for the goal at 24:58. Longwood kept the pressure on the Midshipmen, outshooting Navy 6-3 in the first half while leading 1-0 at halftime. Michael Lemonick scored for the Midshipmen at 49:19 to tie the match at 1-1. Surkamp scored the match-winner at 79:44 when he took a pass from van Pelt and ripped a shot into the upper-right corner to beat the Navy goalkeeper.

“This was a battle of attrition and our team deservedly came out of it on top,” said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. “We were stretched every inch of the way by a tough Navy team. We had some immense individual performances, but the MVP was the collective effort of the team. I'm sure the lads will give Joel plenty of praise for some top-level goalkeeping and Nick Surkamp will garner some headlines with a world-class strike. What a great way to decide a game. I'm thoroughly proud of the players and the great support we had throughout.”

Longwood outshot Navy 12-11, including a 7-6 edge in shots on goal, while the Midshipmen had a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Surkamp and van Pelt each attempted three shots with two shots on goal to pace the Lancers offensively. Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) recorded five saves in 89:18 in goal, leaving the match for 42 seconds in the second half after receiving a knee to the face. Navy was led by Joseph Greenspan with four shots while Aaron Dupere made five saves while playing the duration in goal.

The Lancers have won three-straight matches against the Midshipmen and are 3-1 all-time against Navy.