Box Score

FARMVILLE, VA. – Anthony Ugorji and Dan Campos scored goals to help the Longwood men's soccer team battle to a 2-2 draw against UNC Wilmington in an exhibition game Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex.
 
"It was important that we got a result, and overall I was quite pleased with the progress for it being the first game," said head coach Jon Atkinson, now entering his 10th year as Longwood's head coach and 12th overall with the program. "Obviously we'd like to clean a lot of areas up as the season progresses, but for our first game, it gives us a starting spot."
 
The goals from Ugorji and Campos highlighted a 90-minute exhibition that featured 27 total shots, including 18 from an aggressive UNC Wilmington club. The Longwood defense clogged the shooting lanes throughout, however, and allowed just six shots on goal which sophomore goalkeeper Carlos Canas converted into three saves.
 
Ugorji, a senior forward and a preseason Big South Preseason All-Conference selection, was the focal point of the offense, taking a team-high four shots and scoring a goal in the 54th minute. But it was Campos who put Longwood on the board first, receiving a pass in the box from junior forward Zach Crandall and firing it across the goal into the lower left corner for a 1-0 Longwood lead at 23:24.
 
Campos, a native of Bergen, Norway, is one of seven newcomers to the Lancer program this season. He is one of five international players on the roster, which has provided a unique challenge in terms of team chemistry and communication.
 
"Anytime you've got new guys coming in to make a pivotal role in the team, it's going to take time to blend," Atkinson said. "Unfortunately with our preseason schedule, we don't have that time. So we're going to see a lot time on the wheel. With the language differences, obviously that's going to have to work out in time. So it's a chance for us to just let off some steam from the preseason. We certainly appreciate Wilmington coming here to play us today."
 
The group showed flashes of that blossoming chemistry throughout the exhibition Saturday, notably early in the second half when Nnamdi Ikeazor deflected a shot off UNC Wilmington keeper Sean Melvin. The shot came at near point-blank range and bounced off Melvin's hands, but Ugorji set himself up in perfect position to clean up the rebound and tap it into the net for a 2-1 Longwood lead.
 
The back-and-forth battle continued from there, however as UNC Wilmington responded just under six minutes later with their own follow-up score off a corner kick. Freddie Nzekele punched in the tying goal after UNC Wilmington captain Jake Van Compernolle's initial shot off deflected off the cross bar.

Longwood and UNC Wilmington would trade five shots over the final 20 minutes of the game, but Longwood goalkeepers Carlos Canas and Carl Carpenter weathered the storm to hold on to the draw.
 
The Lancers will play their final preseason exhibition this Monday, Aug. 25, at William & Mary. The 7 p.m. game will be the makeup of the previously scheduled scrimmage, which was cancelled due to rain on Aug. 18. Longwood opens the 2014 season at VMI on Aug. 30.

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