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FARMVILLE, Va. – Coastal Carolina forward Tobenna Uzo scored the game-winning goal in the 106th minute, as the 11th-ranked Chanticleers survived an upset bid from the Longwood men's soccer team, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex.
"I'm proud of the effort from the guys, although it's always disappointing to lose in overtime," said Longwood head coach
Jon Atkinson. "We can hold our heads high after playing a high-caliber opponent close. I think we had enough in that game to get excited about, but if you don't capitalize on chances against good teams it can come back to haunt you like it did today."
Uzo, who scored both Chanticleer goals in the match, put in a header for his fourth goal of the season to end a valiant effort from an upset-minded Longwood squad – who entered the second overtime period with just 10 men on the field after midfielder
Daena Bodie was sent off in the 96th minute.
In the 106th minute, Uzo headed home his second goal of the game off a cross from Martin Melchor that was sent inside the six-yard penalty area, before Uzo sent it past Longwood goalkeeper
Carlos Canas.
Longwood found itself trailing late into the 87th minute before forward
Zach Crandall drilled the equalizer from 22 yards on a ball that appeared to bounce off Coastal Carolina goalkeeper Fernando Pina and into the net. The goal for Crandall marked the third of the season for the senior, including his second straight game with a tally.
"He's a senior who doesn't want the lights to go out on his career," Atkinson said of Crandall.
The win for the Chanticleers (11-1-1, 5-1-0 BSC) is their fourth straight since their 3-2 loss to the hands of UNC Asheville when the squad was ranked No. 4 in the nation. Meanwhile, the Lancers (7-7-0, 2-3-0 BSC) saw their two-game win streak come to a close.
"It shows the parity in Division I men's soccer and should also give us the belief that we can hang with anybody in the country," Atkinson said of playing a tight game against Coastal Carolina. "We challenge our guys in every practice and every game with their level of intensity and if we're able to do that, we'll be able to rise in the rankings."
Uzo broke the scoreless defensive struggle in the 57th minute in the second half. The Coastal Carolina senior forward was able to out-race his defender down the field and tucked his shot into the left side netting.
The opening 45 minutes played as a defensive affair with either side able to generate offense in the attacking third of the field. The two teams combined for just six shots in the opening half, with the Chanticleers holding a 4-2 advantage.
Up next, Longwood will look to rebound, as the squad travels to Liberty Tuesday, Oct. 27. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
"We have to pick ourselves up quickly from this loss today," Atkinson said. "Liberty provides a different set of challenges down the road. We have to get our guys prepared."
#GoWood