FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood men's soccer generated numerous quality chances offensively, but visiting Gardner-Webb converted on their opportunities for a 3-0 win at the Longwood Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The game featured 46 total shots, 16 on goal, and four penalty kicks, two for each team. In the end, the Runnin' Bulldogs (6-3-1, 3-1 Big South) converted both their penalties, one in each half, to pull out the victory. The Lancers also hit the post on two separate occasions in the second half.
Just 14 minutes into the match, the first penalty of the afternoon was called as it was ruled that Tim Kreuzpeintner was taken down by graduate student goalkeeper
Nicolas Pucci in the box. Kreuzpeintner converted the spot kick to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Junior forward
Brando Bedolla generated two quality chances in the first half for the Lancers (6-6, 1-3 Big South). Five minutes after Gardner-Webb's goal, Bedolla had a shot from just inside the penalty spot stopped by the Runnin' Bulldogs' Oliver Weng. Junior
Joshwa Campbell's rebound attempt was blocked wide by the defense. In the 32nd minute, a Bedolla free kick from outside the top of the box went just high of the frame.
The Lancers' first penalty kick opportunity came seven minutes into the second half when Campbell was taken down from behind by Hugo Luengo Yague inside the penalty area. Weng came up big to save Bedolla's penalty, and Campbell's rebound attempt went wide as he was taken down once again. After a VAR, another penalty was not awarded and the Runnin' Bulldogs were given a goal kick.
Three minutes later, freshman
Baltazar Gramajo sent a shot from deep ringing off the right post.
Gardner-Webb earned a free kick just outside the penalty area near the endline in the 77th minute. Nicolas Triguero served it into the box, and despite a deflection off a Lancer head, ended up on the foot of Adrian Biaggi, who scored into the right side of the goal from 10 yards out.
In the 81st minute, a Campbell shot just missed going in, hitting off the right post. His shot from the left side of the area was partially blocked by a Gardner-Webb defender before hitting off the post.
Just over a minute later, the Lancers had another great opportunity to get on the board when Bedolla was knocked down on the right side of the penalty area while making a move on goal. His penalty kick missed to keep the Runnin' Bulldogs on top, 2-0.
A handball gave Gardner-Webb the game's final penalty kick in the 84th minute, and Triguero converted for the final margin.
Gardner-Webb finished the game with 24 shots compared to 22 for the Lancers. Longwood tallied eight corner kicks compared to seven for the visitors.
Up Next
The Lancers kick off a three-game road trip at Elon on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on FloCollege.
