BLACKSBURG, Va. – Despite a 10-save performance from Longwood senior goalkeeper Carlos Canas, a goal in the 80th minute from Virginia Tech defender Alessandro Mion lifted the 23rd-ranked Hokies to a 1-0 win over the Lancers Tuesday night at Thompson Field.

"Virginia Tech is a good team and asked many questions of our defense," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. "We had a response for most of the night up until the end but, unfortunately, had one break down from a set piece that undid what was a great team effort."

The 10 saves from Canas matched a career-high, going back to his first collegiate start against American during the 2013 season. Coming into the game with the Big South's second-best goals against average at 0.74, Canas (2-2-1) and the Longwood back line fended off 25-of-26 Virginia Tech shots throughout the night.

"I have to give kudos to our back line and in particular Carlos for an MVP performance," Atkinson said. "He and the back line gave us a chance all the way till the end."

In addition to Canas, that back line trio of Evan Fowler, Marten Pajurnum and Tom Devitt each played all 90 minutes, while being credited to a pair of team saves. The group, along with Canas, kept Longwood  (2-2-1) in the game despite being outshot  and held a Virginia Tech offensive attack that ranks third in the ACC with 11 goals this season in check throughout the game's first 79 minutes, including the ACC's third-leading goal scorer Marcelo Acuna.

The Lancers went toe-to-toe with the high-powered Hokie offensive attack throughout the second half, outshooting the Hokies in the first 30 minutes following halftime. Perhaps Longwood's best two opportunities of the second half to take the 1-0 advantage came with quality shots on target from Finnlay Wyatt and Sherif Maalouf that were saved by Virginia Tech goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard (4-1-0).

"We made a game of it and there were moments in the second half where we had Virginia Tech stressed," Atkinson said. "We're searching for more clarity up top against more refined teams and that's something we'll work on in practice."

Mion scored the game's only goal in the 80th minute off a set piece where Rory Slevin took a free kick from 35 yards out. Slevin was credited with the lone assist on the goal.

Looking to fend off the Lancers late, the Hokies looked to protect their lead. Longwood midfielder Connor Rea took the final shot for the Lancers, but his shot whistled wide of the target.

That goal powered the Hokies (5-1-0) to their fifth victory of the season with the lone defeat coming against top-ranked Notre Dame. Outside that one loss, the Hokies have given up a combined three goals in their five victories.

Longwood concludes a stretch to open the season where it plays four of its first five on the road with a 2-2-1 record. The Lancers return home to play three of their next four, starting with a contest against Appalachian State Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

#GoWood