HIGH POINT, N.C. – Three second half goals lifted Big South preseason runner-up High Point to a 3-0 victory over Longwood Wednesday night at Vert Stadium.
The plethora of Panther goals came within a 15 minute span to open the second half, as Longwood (4-6-1; 1-2-0 BSC) withstood High Point's attack in the opening 45 minutes. The loss derails a run of quality play from the Lancers in which Longwood took ACC foe Pittsburgh to the wire a week ago and picked up a Division I record six goals Saturday against Campbell.
"This was one to flush, as we never showed up and fully competed for the duration of the match," said Longwood head coach
Jon Atkinson. "Credit to High Point, who protected their field well and deserved the result, but I'm upset at the passivity and carelessness of our players."
Carlos Canas earned the start in goal, playing 78 minutes and tallying four saves.
Lance Da Silva relieved the senior captain in the 79th minute, making two saves in the game's final 11 minutes. Meanwhile, Keegan Meyer made three saves in his second shutout of the season.
"Without Carlos, the damage could've been much worse," Atkinson said.
After a first half in which Canas made four saves against a barrage of High Point shots, the Panthers took the 1-0 lead in the 47th minute, as Chad Poarch intercepted a ball at midfield and scored from 15 yards out on a shot to the far post.
High Point (6-3-1; 1-1-0 BSC) added a pair of goals within a five-minute span beginning in the 55th minute after Bana Ganidekam accepted a cross from the right side, before scoring his second of the season. That was followed less than five minutes later, as the Big South's fifth-leading scorer Siggi Benonysson tallied his fifth of the season from four yards out.
"Tonight was not an acceptable Longwood performance on a night where opportunity was presented but not fully embraced," Atkinson said. "We'll show more hunger Saturday."
Longwood looks to bounce back, as the squad returns to the friendly confines of the Athletics Complex Saturday, Oct. 8 against Gardner-Webb. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
#GoWood
