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FARMVILLE, Va. – It appears that senior midfielder Finnlay Wyatt is in midseason form.

A product of Sheffield, England, Wyatt's three-point night, including a goal and an assist, propelled Longwood past Lynchburg College, 4-1, Monday night at the Longwood Athletics Complex.

"There is no better test than to take practice situations and apply them in game settings," said Longwood 14th-year head coach Jon Atkinson. "I thought our guys did well overall, rebounding from a slow start."

Squaring off against a Lynchburg program that won 10 games in 2015, the Lancers tallied three first-half goals in a span of 7 minutes, 10 seconds to take control of a contest in which Lynchburg's Ben Grossfus tallied the game's first goal just 29 seconds into the game.

"Give credit to Lynchburg, they worked hard all game and kept our lads focused throughout," Atkinson said.

It marked the third game in Wyatt's career that he finished with at least three points, as he owns a pair of two-goal games, including one in Longwood's 3-2 win over UNC Asheville a season ago.

"It felt good to be back out there," Wyatt said. "It's been a long spring and summer, so it felt good to be back out on the pitch with the guys. We've had to make some adjustments since we have several guys dealing with injuries, so it was nice to be able to contribute."  

Dan Campos started the scoring output for the Lancers in the 15th minute, as he curled a free kick from 26 yards out into the upper left-hand corner of the goal.

Less than five minutes later, the Lancers took the lead for the first time throughout the preseason, as newcomer Tom Devitt finished a corner kick with a header right in front of goal on a play that was created by Wyatt and Michael Margulis.

Wyatt, who registered a game-high five shots with three on goal, doubled Longwood's lead in the 22nd minute off a through ball from Max Poelker.

Following the intermission, Longwood came out and controlled the play for much of the second half, as evidenced by an 8-1 shot advantage for the half. It was part of an offensive onslaught that saw the Lancers rifle 17 shots with eight on goal.

Longwood had four shots on target in the second frame. Mo Jalloh had the lone goal of the period after receiving a through ball from junior defender Marten Pajunurm. Jalloh made no mistake, as he finished in a one-on-one situation against Lynchburg's Dylan McLaurin to increase the Longwood lead to 4-1.

Senior goalkeeper Carlos Canas received the start and picked up the win, making one save on four Lynchburg shots.

In two preseason games, including one at preseason No. 17 Virginia, the Longwood defense, spearheaded by Canas and Pajunurm, gave up just two goals on 17 shot attempts by the opponent.

A total of six newcomers were featured throughout the Lancer lineup with Devitt, along with freshmen Connor Rea and Poelker inserted into the starting lineup.

After the completion of regulation, the two teams played two extra 30 minute sessions with Sepehr Harandi getting the only tally of the session on an assist from Jalloh.

"I feel we still have a few gears to go up, but it was certainly a step in the right direction as we prepare for the season ahead," Atkinson said.

After earning a split from their two preseason games, Longwood is set to open the 2016 regular season Friday, Aug. 26 at VMI. It marks the third straight season the Lancers and Keydets will open the season with Longwood earning a victory the past two seasons. The opening kick from Patchin Field in Lexington, Va., is set for 2:30 p.m.

"I feel this year our team is a tight-knit group with everybody on the same page and striving for the same goal of winning the Big South Championship," Wyatt said.

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