LEXINGTON, Va. – Longwood's newcomers made their presence felt, combining for six of eight points in a 3-0 season-opening victory over VMI to start the 2018 season Friday afternoon at Patchin Field.
 
Newcomers Markus Gronli and Mikel Abando pitched in Longwood's second-half onslaught with a goal and an assist each with, leading the Lancers with three points while Gronli posted a team-high seven shots from his position on the wing.
 
"You always hope for a good start to the season and we did today," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. "The lads certainly applied themselves especially in the second half and finally broke the deadlock to allow a safe passage home."
 
The Lancers (1-0-0) scored three goals in a matter of 17 minutes, securing a win over their former Big South rival Keydets (0-1-0) for the eighth time in nine meetings since Longwood moved to the Division I ranks. It also marked the fifth consecutive meeting between the two teams to open the season with Longwood going 4-0-1 in those games.
 
Longwood played on the front foot for all 90 minutes in a collective effort that saw the Lancers pepper VMI goalkeeper Broden Schull with 26 shots and 13 on target. Schull made 10 saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal.
 
"Overall, I was impressed with our focus and commitment all week," Atkinson said. "It's this reason we won today, as the attitudes and minds were right from the start. This was a team effort all the way through."
 
Jacob Reimers got the start in goal and combined with freshman Miguel Bayma to pick up the clean sheet. Reimers and Bayma were aided by a starting back line consisting of Denzel Speed, Jonas Kalchner, Shane Curtis and Aj Kmeic while limiting the VMI attack to two shots.
 
"We took pride in the clean sheet to create some clean opening," Atkinson said.
 
After a dominant first 45 minutes with 12 shots, six on target, senior captain Josh Hanratty converted a penalty in the 47th minute to lead to the game-winning strike. Hanratty, a senior captain, playing 87 minutes while aiding Longwood's defense.
 
Seven minutes later, Mikel Abando finished a cross to the right side of the box from Gronli to convert for his first goal in a Longwood jersey.
 
Gronli later delivered his first goal as a Lancer, finishing a cross into the middle from Abando of the 18-yard box into the lower left corner of the goal.
 
Seven newcomers were inserted into the starting lineup for the Lancers, including Aj Kmeic, Jeremy Jaquier, Mikel Abando, Markus Gronli, Ander Extaniz, Jonas Kalchner and Shane Curtis. In addition, five others saw playing time, as 12 of Longwood's 19 newcomers saw game action and 21 of 24 available players made an appearance.
 
"We have a long way to go," Atkinson said. "This wasn't a finished product by far and we know some proven programs will give us severe tests along the way but for now we can enjoy securing one in the bag."
 
The Lancers will seek the program's first 2-0 start to a season since joining the Division I ranks, as the Lancers will have four days to prepare for their 2018 home opener against UNCG Tuesday, Aug. 28. First touch is set for 6 p.m., at the Athletics Complex and it will be the start of three straight on their home field.
 
#GoWood ​