RADFORD, Va. – In a rematch of the 2016 Big South Championship game, Radford Dondre' Robinson broke a scoreless draw in the 72nd minute before a late equalizer from Longwood newcomer
Joshewa Frederick forced overtime in a 1-1 draw Wednesday night at Cupp Stadium.
Sparked by the superb play of the Longwood back line anchored by Frederick,
Tom Devitt,
Marten Pajunurm and
Vaughn Fowler, the Lancers held a Highlander attack that came into the night ranking 10th in the NCAA with 2.20 goals per game in check for 72 minutes before Robinson was able to break the draw.
"The game went as expected for the most part, two competitive teams with some history," Atkinson said. "The boys rolled their sleeves up and competed first and foremost, we stayed disciplined and remained patient throughout waiting for our moments of quality to shine through."
However, Frederick, playing in just his second game at Longwood, used his speed to outrun Co-Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Radford's Fraser Colmer into the right side of the box, before sending a right-footed cannon past Radford goalkeeper Nicolas Mertzokat to equalize the game in the 86th minute.
"We've been a goal away all season and could've had a reverse of this season has gone," Atkinson said. "Tonight, the goal came from an unlikely source, as we pushed for the equalizer and threw our chips into the middle. Joshewa has been a breath of fresh air for the team and showed his ability and versatility tonight with a breath taking goal."
The goal from Frederick helped Longwood (1-13-2, 1-4-1 Big South) earn its fourth point in the last two games against a surging Radford (9-4-3, 4-1-2 Big South) squad that came into Wednesday's game on top of the league standings and among the top 50 in the latest NCAA RPI rankings.
The draw for the Lancers, along with a Winthrop loss to UNC Asheville, moves the Lancers to seventh-place in the conference standings, setting the stage for a contest against Gardner-Webb Saturday for sixth place in the Big South standings to put the winner in the driver's seat for the final spot to make the Big South Tournament.
"We went into tonight's contest a few men down into a tough situation," Atkinson said. "However, our replacements did admirably and it's a good point on the road against a quality team."
Marcel Guzman had the best chance for the Lancers in the opening half, getting a foot on a ball right out in front of the Radford goal just within the reach of Mertzokat.
Devitt, who has starred at center back throughout the season, broke up a 3-on-1 opportunity from Radford late in the opening 45 minutes, forcing a throw-in with a slide tackle in the box to take away a golden opportunity for the Highlanders.
Robinson broke scoreless draw in the 72nd minute, finishing a play set up by Victor Valls and Sivert Daehlie. The goal from Robinson was his first strike of the season.
"While I was disappointed with the goal we conceded, I was very pleased with our spirit and belief which has been tested of late giving us the platform for the result," Atkinson said. "We would've liked the win, as we're back in the pack and needed the points more than Radford."
Lance Da Silva made three saves in the outing for the Lancers, while Mertzokat was credited with four for the Highlanders.
Longwood's pivotal showdown against Gardner-Webb and final road game of the 2017 season is set for Saturday in Boiling Springs, N.C., at 3 p.m.
#GoWood
