FARMVILLE, Va. - Ninth-year head coach Jon Atkinson and the Longwood University men's soccer team return to action in 2013 following the squad's first season as a member of the Big South Conference. After finishing with a 3-12-3 overall record last season and coming up just short of a Big South Tournament bid with a 2-7-1 mark in conference play, the Lancers are confident about their ability to make great strides in 2013. This season, the team will be led by a talented group of 18 returning letterwinners, while nine newcomers have been added to the mix, as well.
"Overall we will be in far better shape than last year, which was our overhaul year with such a rebuild from our championship winning team in 2011," said Atkinson. "The experience derived was invaluable, and while results were hard to come by, the style was beginning to form and the young guards were starting to figure out life in the NCAA."
Despite being a relatively young team with just eight upperclassmen on the roster, Atkinson is confident in everyone's ability to come together to be successful.
"The team had a very productive spring where they matured rapidly as a whole and put in some stellar performances both on the field and in the classroom," commented Atkinson. "Although it was only the spring, it was a good gauge as to how I feel the guys will perform this fall."
Keys to Success
When asked about what he feels will be the keys to success for his team this season, Atkinson explained that the squad needs to continue to bond and work closely with one another, which will hopefully allow the newcomers to quickly pick up the desired style of play.
"In order to be successful this year, we need to trust in one another and that starts with each and every player buying into what the staff has outlined," said Atkinson. "We made a lot of progress with our style, system of play and fitness in the spring and I believe that bore fruit. The challenge is to integrate the new players quickly. We need the returners to remember what worked well in spring and to put aside their personal agendas in order to ensure the team is as successful as it can be."
Game Plan
Coach Atkinson said that his staff's game plan this season will focus on the student-athletes being more fit than in years past. He said that they are also striving to be much stronger on offense this season.
"We are requiring the lads to be 100% focused on their work rate, as that is a big part of our blueprint," explained Atkinson. "Work hard, work smart and exert dominance on ball possession. We can only do that if we are fit. Our players are very clear that this will be a standard in our play that is uncompromised.
"We lacked a threat in the final third last year and we know that without goals all of the possession and build up is for nothing. We will strive to have more of a presence in the final third this season to compliment all of the other work going on."
Leadership
According to Atkinson, the leadership of this year's squad will not necessarily just come from the oldest players. Rather, representatives from each class have stepped up and every single player will be expected to set a good example.
"We are still a very young squad and while we have some excellent candidates to help lead this program, everyone will be expected to be able to put on the captain's arm band and act like a man," said Atkinson.
"We have the good fortune of welcoming back redshirt senior Patrick McDaniel, who will look to provide stability at the back and has been a major presence in the Lancer uniform since his freshmen year. Seniors Jared Windt and Brian Henry will compliment McDaniel as leaders this year, as well. Juniors Anthony Ugorji and Daena Bodie, who were more vocal in the spring, can help guide this squad to greatness over the next couple of seasons. In addition and rather uniquely, we had two rising sophomores captain the team during spring. Both Rhys Cairns and Philip van Berkom possess the right balance of ability, respect and presence to continue to mold this team."
Forwards
Junior Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C. will look to lead Longwood's offensive attack this season after making significant improvements in the offseason. Ugorji finished 2012 with two goals and one assist for five total points. Classmate Jonathan Kukapa/Leesburg returns as the squad's top scorer after logging a pair of goals and three assists for seven points last season. Sophomore Christian Keilty/Spotsylvania will look to be more of a threat on the attack this season, while sophomore Zach Crandall/Lorton returns to the squad after a year away from the program. Freshmen Lee Martin/Gambrills, Maryland and Nnamdi Ikeazor/Lagos, Nigeria look to add depth to the attacking positions, as well.
"Anthony improved significantly in spring with his movement and demand of the ball, and while he isn't a one trick pony, he does possess pace that no one can match," commented Atkinson. "Our challenge will be to present the right pass at the right time. We are welcoming Zack Crandall back into the fold. He had a breakthrough year in 2011, and after taking a sabbatical, he rejoins the Lancers hoping to pick up where he left off. Zach was sorely missed last year, as he possesses that No. 9 role and style that can link the middle to final third, as well as having an eye for goal."
Midfield
Sophomore Rhys Cairns/Washington, England will anchor the Lancers' midfield in 2013. During his rookie campaign, Cairns started all 17 games he appeared in and logged the second-most minutes on the team. Seniors Brian Henry/Stafford and Jared Windt/Haymarket will add experience to the middle, while sophomores Zach Corcoran/Martinsville, Will Lambert/Charlottesville and Sam Yardley/Fairfax Station will contribute, as well. In 2012, Yardley finished third on the team with two goals and two assists for six total points. Newcomer Jonathan Majin/Lagos, Nigeria will also be in the mix for playing time once he becomes acclimated to the Division I style.
"Rhys Cairns has all the attributes to be an exceptional linchpin for Longwood," said Atkinson. "While Rhys can't do it all, we have capable players all willing to pull their weight, notably Jared Windt and Will Lambert, who each had a breakout spring for us."
Defense
After getting injured early last season, redshirt-senior Patrick McDaniel/Midlothian returns to the Lancers lineup as the veteran leader on defense. Junior Daena Bodie/Guernsey, England and sophomore Philip van Berkom/Zetten, The Netherlands will also be a part of Longwood's defensive core, while junior Kevin Zhu/South Riding, and sophomores Mike Durr/Brandon, Mississippi and Aidan McGovern/Laois, Ireland will add depth to the position. Several freshmen will also look to find a foothold in the backfield this year.
"This area was a big improvement from the fall and there will be good competition in all positions," explained Atkinson. "Pat McDaniel returns from injury and is a player who leads by example, whereas Daena Bodie and club captain Phil van Berkom provide the voices and bite."
Goalkeepers
Longwood will enter 2013 with three capable goalkeepers on the roster. Junior Paul Hegedus/Ashburn saw the most action in front of the net last season, starting all 10 games he appeared in. He turned away 34 shot attempts (.708), while allowing 14 goals against (1.16), en route to a 1-6-3 record. Sophomore Carl Carpenter/Charlottesville also gained valuable experience in goal during the 2012 season, making 33 saves (.660) and registering a team-best 2-4-0 record. This season, Hegedus and Carpenter will be joined by newcomer Carlos Canas/Manassas, who will also be a contender for time on the field.
"Paul defined himself as our No. 1 in the spring and will look to carry that on into the fall, but he will be pushed handedly by Carl and our freshman Carlos, who spent the summer gaining valuable international experience at the U20 World Cup playing for El Salvador," said Atkinson.
Schedule
The Lancers' are slated to play 10 home matches at the friendly confines of the Athletics Complex in Farmville, in addition to eight road games in 2013. The Lancers will play their season opener at Duquesne University on Friday, August 30 beginning at 7 p.m.
"This is an excellent schedule with some solid matchups that will really test us," commented Atkinson. "Our program is maturing with each year and I feel we have the right blend of home and away games to give our squad the balance needed in order to prepare for our Big South opponents."
The Lancers' Big South schedule features six home contests and four road matches. The squad will kick off league play by welcoming High Point University to the Athletics Complex on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
"The schedule will be a major change to what we have experienced before with our Big South conference games following a systemized approach allowing our team to grow momentum throughout the season in readiness for conference games and ultimately a berth in the tournament, which is our goal this time out," explained Atkinson.
Postseason
Atkinson said his team will strive to earn a spot in the 2013 Big South Conference Men's Soccer Championship. The top eight teams in the league's final standings will qualify for the tournament that will begin on November 12 with the quarterfinals at the four highest seeds' home fields. The semifinal and championship games will be held on Nov. 15 and 17, respectively, at Bryan Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.
"While no one has a crystal ball, we know that this year we have a realistic chance of making the conference tournament, but only if we follow and execute the steps necessary," concluded Atkinson. "Nothing is a given at this level, but by generating some early season energy brought on by some wins, we are capable of building a good head of steam in order to get the necessary points amid some good Big South competition."
