SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Senior Aaron Asamoah's curling shot beat USC Upstate goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin to the far post in the 73rd minute, setting up a frenetic finish for the Longwood men's soccer team Saturday at County University Soccer Stadium.
Despite golden opportunities to get the go-ahead goal in the final minutes, however, the Lancers were forced to settle for a third consecutive draw, 2-2.
Asamoah's first goal of the season, assisted by Brando Bedolla, gave Longwood (2-8-5, 0-4-2 Big South) a fighting chance. Joaquin Sonez nearly took advantage with a left-footed shot that sailed high and wide with 1:10 remaining.
Seconds later, Longwood recovered possession and Asamoah floated a cross that found Ezrah Serralde's head, but he was unable to get enough power on the shot as Wuerslin snared it out of the air.
With the result, the Longwood is still alive for a spot in the Big South tournament with one match remaining against Presbyterian Friday at home. The Lancers, though, will require a win versus the Blue Hose and for both Radford and Winthrop to drop each of their last two matches to qualify.
Longwood outshot USC Upstate (4-10-2, 2-3-1) on the day, 16-15, but trailed, 2-1, at halftime.
The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Oskar Kaufmann in the 23rd minute and Hilmar Hilmarsson in the 28th minute with both tallies assisted by Vitalis Takawira Jr.
Just 58 seconds after the Hilmarsson goal doubled the lead at the 27:29 mark, freshman Christer Salvesen got the Lancers on the scoreboard.
On the play, the Sandnes, Norway native nodded home a ball from Serralde off the crossbar — just staying onside — for his first collegiate goal.
Max Hinke made five saves for Longwood while Wuerslin matched that with five of his own for the Spartans.
The match against Presbyterian is set for 7 p.m., at Longwood Athletics Complex on ESPN+. Longwood is set to honor 14 graduating players prior to kickoff as part of senior day festivities.
