FARMVILLE, Va -  On a night where Longwood controlled the tempo and pace of play against Winthrop, a pair of transition plays by the visitors proved to be the difference.

Jogvan Jacobsen notched the first multi-goal game of his Winthrop (3-9 overall, 1-3 Big South) career to lead the Eagles past Longwood 2-1. The senior polished off two quick transitions, one in each half, as Winthrop took advantage of its opportunities to jump out to a 2-0 lead. 

Meanwhile, Longwood (5-7 overall, 0-4 Big South) held the ball  but just couldn't squeeze the breakthrough goal out. The Lancers created chances with 21 shots, four shots on goal, one shot off the crossbar and multiple opportunities that inched just wide of the net, but they couldn't find the back of the net until Mikel Abando's strike in the 83rd minute.

"It's not the spot we wanted to find ourselves in, and while I can't discount the effort we put forward, the game is simple," said head coach Jon Atkinson. "Convert your chances, and I have to say that we had plenty tonight."

Jacobsen's give-and-go with teammate Jordan Walshaw gave Winthrop a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute, but the Lancers nearly evened the score immediately. Off a corner kick, Markus Gronli blasted a shot that was deflected and saved by Winthrop goalkeeper Sam Jones, and Abando ripped the rebound off the crossbar. Jones made another big save a few minutes later to push Abando's point-blank shot just wide of the post.

Longwood dominated possession after halftime while Winthrop dropped back to absorb pressure. Longwood's Filip Hinge had a header from close range, but Jones parried it aside. The Lancers put up four shots in the first 16 minutes of the second half, but it was Jacobsen who gave Winthrop a 2-0 lead. He flicked a header home in the 69th minute off a pass from Ben Goodman.

"They aren't going in right now, and it's hurting us," Atkinson said. "One goal games are agonizing and stressful all the same. Winthrop had one avenue to beat us tonight, and the transition moments both hurt us. Four shots, two goals. It may be a little cruel, but I believe there is an opportunity for the lads to grow from this as tough as it is to take."

The Lancers furiously pressed forward in the final 20 minutes after Jacobsen's second goal. Abando finally broke through in the 83rd minute by redirecting a clever pass from Ander Etxaniz under a diving Jones to cut the lead to 2-1, but Longwood was unable to find the equalizer as the clock wound down.
 
On Saturday, Longwood wraps up the two-match homestand with High Point. First touch is at 7 p.m.
 
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