FARMVILLE, Va. – Winthrop defender Charlie Ramirez scored a golden goal in the 94th minute, as the Eagles escaped with a 1-0 win over the Longwood men's soccer team Saturday night at the Athletics Complex.
Ramirez' goal spoiled a career-high, eight save performance from Longwood goalkeeper
Lance Da Silva, as the sophomore, along with the Longwood back line of
Tom Devitt,
Marten Pajunurm,
Ryan Fleming and
Vaughn Fowler turned away 21 of 22 Winthrop shots on the night.
The goal for Ramirez came as Winthrop served a ball into the box and was headed past Da Silva from seven yards out. It marked the first career strike for the Eagle defender.
The loss for the Lancers (0-8-1, 0-1-0 Big South) marks the squad's eighth straight and the second straight season with a loss in the Big South opener. Winthrop (3-6-1, 1-1-0 Big South) picks up its first conference win of the campaign.
"We're massively disappointed," said Longwood head coach
Jon Atkinson. "We let ourselves down tonight. We were full of optimism leading up to the game and to turn up with that kind of performance, we have to take a good look at ourselves."
Longwood midfielder
Connor Rea had one of several quality chances for the Lancers midway through the second half, as he looked to finish a cross from
Max Poelker before Winthrop goalkeeper Kenneth Perkinson made one of his four saves on the night.
"There were some chances tonight, but I'm more focused on the performance that we put forth," Atkinson said. "If we put together a performance that we're capable of than the chances will come, the results will come. Tonight was a step backward and we're going to have to figure out how we're going to get the belief to turn the season around."
Rea had a team-leading three shots for Longwood while
Dan Campos also had a multi-shot performance with a pair. Marc Carreras led the Eagles with a game-high seven shots.
"We have to get a belief in ourselves," Atkinson said. "Tonight, it seemed that we were very edgy. Overcoming some mental obstacles will allow us to play the kind of football that we're capable of playing. The results will come, but we just have to trust the process."
Longwood returns to action Tuesday, as the Lancers square off against rival Liberty. First touch for that game is set for 7 p.m., in Lynchburg, Va.
#GoWood
