RADFORD, Va. – Big South Preseason Attacking Player of the Year Sivert Daehlie scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute to lift top-seeded Radford to a 1-0 win over Longwood Sunday afternoon in the Big South Championship.

The goal from Daehlie was his fifth of the season, as he was able to head a ball sent to the left side of the six-yard box past Longwood goalkeeper and senior Carlos Canas.
The goal helped Radford (14-3-2) win its first Big South Championship in men's soccer since the 2000 season and fourth overall.

With one last gasp in the closing seconds and the Lancers pressing for the equalizer, Marten Pajunurm nearly tied the game with a header off the corner kick but it sailed just wide of Radford goalkeeper Ait Pouseu Blanco.

"This was obviously a tough loss for the lads," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. "I thought we looked fit to the end, but credit to Radford. They got the chance when it mattered and were able to capitalize on it. I'm proud of the effort from our guys."

The Lancers became the third Longwood program to compete in a Big South Championship game, joining the three-time Big South champion softball team and the women's basketball team.

"We showed we belong here," Atkinson said. "I don't think this will be the last time we see Longwood in the final."

Making the tournament as the sixth seed on a Dan Campos golden goal in overtime of the regular season finale against Liberty, Longwood upset third-seeded UNC Asheville and second-seeded High Point on the road to become the fifth sixth seed to advance to the Big South Championship game in the league's history

"The character that our guys showed this year is tremendous," Atkinson said. "The belief our guys showed going back to the Liberty game was incredible. They showed a lot of resiliency to get to the final and I'm proud of their effort."

The men's soccer program trip to the finals put an end to a successful fall sports season for Longwood, as men's soccer, women's soccer and field hockey all advanced to the semifinals of their conference tournament to mark the first time that's happened in the school's 10-year Division I era.

For their efforts, Carlos Canas, Dan Campos and Finnlay Wyatt were named to the Big South All-Tournament team. Campos and Wyatt combined for three of Longwood's four goals throughout the squad's tournament run and recorded seven points, while Canas made 11 saves throughout his postseason.

For Longwood (8-12-1), the senior class of Canas, Wyatt, Zach Corcoran, Michael Margulis, as well as Evan and Vaughn Fowler make their final exit having been part of
Longwood's 2013 run to the Big South semifinals, as well as the 2016 run to the Big South Championship game. Those six seniors helped Longwood win 28 games throughout their four seasons, including 17 wins in their final two campaigns.

"They've provided us with some great leadership over the years," Atkinson said. "They're a phenomenal bunch of boys and one of the top classes to come through our program. They're brothers, family and elevated the level of our program. They're a group that's going to be sorely missed, but they can leave holding their heads high knowing that they played a big role in the progression of the program."

Longwood held their own against the top-seeded Highlanders, who were ranked among the top-25 earlier this season. Campos had perhaps Longwood's best chance in the contest, as he made a run to the left side of the six-yard box and slipped a pass to Poelker, who fired a shot just wide of goal.

That was part of several quality chances for the Lancers in the opening 45 minutes, including a pair of chances for Wyatt.  

In preparation for the 2017 season, Longwood will welcome back 19 letter winners and will see the return of Willy Miezan, who missed the 2016 season due to a torn ACL after ranking among the top 10 in the NCAA in 2015 in goals scored. In addition, the Lancers welcome back 2016 leading goal-scorer Max Poelker and second-team All-Big South selection Campos.

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