HIGH POINT, N.C. – Longwood overcame two early scores by Big South leading goal-scorer Mamadee Neypon but surrendered the game-winner to High Point's Chris Ramsell in the 74th minute in a 3-2 loss to the Panthers Saturday evening at Vert Stadium.
 
Mamadee put the Lancers (1-8-1, 0-3-0 Big South) into a 2-0 hole with goals in the 18th and 57th minute, but Longwood stormed back with a pair of second-half goals from Michael Margulis and Jonathan Majin to tie the game in the 73rd minute. The stalemate lasted just 50 seconds, however, as Ramsell came through with the game-winning goal from the top of the box at the 73:43 mark to keep High Point undefeated in conference play.
 
"Today we showed an application and a hunger we haven't seen all season, and it translated to a 'nearly' result," Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson said. "High Point is a very hard team to contain for 90 minutes, and they'll be in the mix this season. Our players showed great character bouncing back from a deflating own goal that was [High Point's] second, but these are parts of our game that have been showing up too often and we'll be working diligently to stamp out."
 
The loss is one of several recent "nearly" losses for the Lancers, who have suffered one-goal losses in three of their past four outings.
 
Longwood spent the first 65 minutes of Saturday's game trying to overcome the early lapse that yielded Neypon's first and gave up another goal to the 6-1, 190-pound forward in the process. However, in a flash of the talent Atkinson has been hinting at all season, Longwood turned a free kick in the 66th minute into a header goal from Michael Margulis, which was the first of the sophomore defender's career.
 
Still down 2-1 with 25 minutes remaining, the Lancers drew a penalty in the box at 72:53 and sent freshman Jonathan Majin to the line to take the penalty kick. The freshman midfielder came through, drilling one past High Point keeper David Price to tie the game at 2-2 with just over 16 minutes left to play.
 
Longwood's momentum would run out quickly thereafter, however, as Ramsell snuffed out the comeback attempt with his game-winner just 50 seconds later to make good on the Panthers' bid to remain undefeated in league play.
 
Despite the disappointing finish, however, Atkinson drew several positives from the effort including the second consecutive game played by senior forward Anthony Ugorji, who had missed Longwood's first eight games of the year.
 
"While it was a loss, we can take a look at the positives – getting goals and some injured players back," Atkinson said. "We'll look to snap this skid with our upcoming home game against Campbell this Wednesday."
 
The Campbell game will take place on Longwood's home field Wednesday at 7 p.m. It will be the nightcap of a double header with the Longwood women's program, which hosts Presbyterian at 4 p.m.

#GoWood