CLINTON, S.C. – The Big South's third-leading goal scorer Mason Lewis' late first half goal proved to be the difference, as Presbyterian held off Longwood in the second half en route to a 2-0 win Saturday afternoon at Edens Field at Martin Stadium.

Lewis tallied his seventh of the season in the 44th minute for what proved to be the game-winning goal, as he moved to third on the Big South scoring list this season. He was setup on the play by Sergio Pinto, who delivered a pass that Lewis struck behind Longwood goalkeeper Carlos Canas.

In search of a second half equalizer, Longwood posted seven shots on target after the intermission, but Presbyterian goalkeeper Connor Behrend and the Blue Hose defense was up to the task in holding the Lancers off the scoreboard, before Presbyterian's Cade Crow tallied a late insurance goal in the 87th minute to secure the 2-0 win.

The win for the Blue Hose (5-7-1, 3-1-0 Big South) lifts the squad to a second-place tie in the Big South standings with UNC Asheville. Meanwhile, Longwood (4-8-1, 1-3-0 Big South) suffers its third straight loss, with all of those games played on the road.

"This was another tough pill to swallow as we had so much control in the game, but still ended up on the losing side," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. "It's tough, no question, and it's not where we want to be, but we have to take heart from some of the football we can play."

Controlling possession throughout the second half, the Longwood attack forced Behrend into multiple key saves in the final 45 minutes. Max Poelker, Longwood's leading goal scorer this season, and Eoin O Donovan led the second-half comeback attempt with three shots on target each, but the Lancers were unable to force the overtime period.

"We have to find a way to stop the transition moments, which have hampered our season," Atkinson said. "Executing in the final third will take some pressure off the lads behind."

Behrend made 11 saves on 22 shots against in the shutout win, while Canas made three saves against 16 Presbyterian shots attempts.

Nine different Lancers registered shots with five of those players registering multiple shots, led by five from Poelker and Finnlay Wyatt.

"We'll continue to fight every game, as the lads are hurting and want to put it right Monday," Atkinson said.

Longwood returns to the Athletics Complex Monday, Oct. 17, for its make-up game against Gardner-Webb, originally scheduled for Oct. 8 but postponed due to inclement weather. Monday's game is set for a 6 p.m., kickoff.

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