FARMVILLE, Va. – Five different goal scorers propelled James Madison to a 5-0 win over the Longwood men's soccer team on a chilly Tuesday night at the Longwood Athletics Complex.
Tuesday's win marks the third straight win for a surging Dukes (7-5-3) squad that came into the contest off an upset 2-0 victory over then-No. 15 UNCW Saturday afternoon. For Longwood (0-13-1), it marks the third loss to a CAA power this season, as the Lancers suffered defeats to the first-place Seahawks, as well as CAA preseason favorite William & Mary.
"We know we're fighting more than the opposition with the record where it is," said Longwood head coach
Jon Atkinson. "JMU is a good team but we spotted them too many freebies."
The contest against James Madison closes out a non-conference schedule that the Lancers took on the nation's best teams, highlighted by four ACC opponents -- No. 2 Wake Forest, NC State, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh – as well as five team's among the top 50 in the latest NCAA RPI.
James Madison opened the scoring in the 17th minute, as Manuel Ferriol scored off a rebound after his initial shot was blocked by the Longwood defense following a corner kick. He was one of three different JMU goal scorers in the opening half in a 23 minute span, as Joe Vyner and Ben Dao added goals in the 25th and 40th minute, respectively.
"Tonight saw us play open, expansive soccer when it would have been easier to close up and kick," Atkinson said. "Doing it this way isn't easy when confidence is being tested. I applaud the guys in some regard, but on the same token we gave up silly goals and allowed the first half score line to affect the drive in the second half."
The Dukes kept the pressure on the Lancers in the second half, as Brennen Burton scored off a rebound in the 55th minute, before Petur Thorsteinsson closed out the scoring off a feed from Yannick Franz in the 61st minute.
Dan Campos led the Lancers with three shots, while
Sammy Dupuy and
Connor Rea each had a pair.
"I thought we had some good moments of possession in the first half and threatened to transition into good areas of the field," Atkinson said.
Jacob Reimers earned his second start of the season in goal, making three saves in the contest. TJ Bush picked up the clean sheet for the Dukes with four saves throughout.
"It's unfortunate and not where we want to be and there is nothing to lose at this stage," Atkinson said. "We have to shake the belief tin once again and show character to fight on and get prepared for what is a must win against Asheville this Saturday."
Longwood begins its final push to claim a spot in the Big South Tournament. That stretch begins Saturday, Oct. 21 when UNC Asheville comes to the Athletics Complex. First touch is set for 6 p.m.
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