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FARMVILLE, Va. – Despite Longwood posting eight shots on goal, a late first-half goal headed in off a free kick from Preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection Tobi Adewole proved to be the difference and lifted George Washington to a 2-0 win Tuesday night at the Longwood Athletics Complex.
 
Longwood outshot a George Washington opponent that came into the night with the Atlantic 10's best goals-against average through seven games this season by a 12-11 margin and controlled play in the attacking third of the field for much of the contest. Despite the effort, the Colonials (3-2-3) handed Longwood (3-3-1) its first its first home loss of the season, putting an end to its second longest winning streak to open a home schedule.
 
"We pushed a quality opponent back on its heels for most of the game," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. "I'm proud of the guy's effort. Unfortunately, we couldn't capitalize in the final third tonight."
 
Adewole tallied his first goal of the season to provide the Colonials with the game-winning strike, as he was able to get a head on a free kick sent into the six-yard box by George Dise.
 
"Give credit to George Washington for taking advantage of opportunities they were give, but I thought we controlled the play for a big part of the game," Atkinson said. "That was some of the best football I've seen from us in a long time. We looked strong, we looked secure and we played the whole field. We kept them on their heels until we got to the final third and we just weren't able to finish."
 
Lance Da Silva (0-1-0) earned his first career start in goal, making three saves in the effort. The effort from Da Silva marks his second appearance in a game, as he split a shutout in Longwood's season-opening win with senior goalkeeper Carlos Canas.
 
"Lance looked very confident, very capable," Atkinson said. "I'm sure he'll critique his own performance, but I felt he looked very calm and composed. He fit very well into the back line."
 
Thor Arne Hofs (3-2-3) made eight saves in the victory for George Washington, as Longwood had eight of its 12 shots in the game on target.
 
Longwood pressured the Colonials in the attacking third, looking for the equalizer in the game's final 30 minutes. The Lancers hounded the Colonial net, posting six shots with four of those on target, including a pair of quality chances for Eoin O Donovan and Max Poelker.
 
Three different Lancers posted multiple shots on target, as Marten Pajunurm led the Lancers with four shots and two on target. In addition, Finnlay Wyatt had three shots while O Donovan posted a pair of shots in 41 minutes of action.
 
With Longwood looking to force overtime, the Colonials struck with a late insurance goal. Garrett Heine sent a through ball into the box, as Christian Lawal worked his way behind the Longwood back line and tallied his second goal of the season.
 
"Searching for the equalizer, we got caught at the end to give a tougher result to look at," Atkinson said.
 
With Tuesday's game marking the final non-conference contest before the start of Big South play, Longwood has three days to prepare for its Big South opener Saturday, Sept. 24 at UNC Asheville. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., at Greenwood Soccer Field.
 
"The attitude and character of play tonight was fantastic," Atkinson said. "We just didn't have the result we deserved. We'll look for more of the same thing except to be more clinical and precise in the final third. Once we get that mojo going, I think we'll see another level that we can go to."
 
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