FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood men's soccer celebrated a historic night in dominating fashion, rolling to a 5-0 victory over Southern Virginia on Friday night.
With the victory, the Lancers improved to 3-0 for the first time in the program's Division I history. It marks the sixth time overall in program history that Longwood started a season 3-0 and the first since 2001.
Junior forward
Brando Bedolla, who entered the game leading the country in points and assists per game, tallied the game-winner just over five minutes into the contest.
Levon Saribekyan and
Pau Garcia, who also added an assist, tallied first half goals, while junior
Diego Diaz and sophomore
Youssef Shafei provided the second-half markers.
The Lancers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard thanks to Bedolla's third goal in as many games. After a SVU turnover along the left side,
Ezrah Serralde redirected the ball to Bedolla in the center of the pitch, giving him space. The junior striker finished from 22 yards out to the lower right corner of the frame in the sixth minute.
Less than four minutes later, Saribekyan doubled the lead, scoring from in close. Garcia lofted a pass to Saribekyan inside the left side of the penalty area. The rookie forward touched over the SVU defense and finished from six yards out.
In the 32nd minute, Garcia found the back of the net for the second time this season. Junior
Joshwa Campbell and freshman
Steven Rivas combined to give Garcia space on the left side of the 18, and the senior midfielder buried it with his left foot.
Just over 13 minutes into the second half, Diaz generated a penalty kick opportunity for the Lancers. The junior forward was tackled from behind in the left side of the penalty area and then converted the spot kick to increase the margin to 4-0. It was his first career goal.
Shafei provided the final tally with just three minutes remaining on a Knight miscue. He intercepted a pass back to the SVU goalkeeper and tapped it in for his third goal of the season.
Longwood outshot Southern Virginia, 23-4, on the evening and picked up its first shutout of the season in the process. The Lancers also produced 12 corner kicks compared to zero for the visitor.
Scoring Summary
6' | Longwood –
Brando Bedolla (
Ezrah Serralde)
10' | Longwood –
Levon Saribekyan (
Pau Garcia)
32' | Longwood – Garcia (
Steven Rivas /
Joshwa Campbell)
59' | Longwood –
Diego Diaz (penalty kick)
87' | Longwood -
Youssef Shafei (unassisted)
Up Next
The Lancers hit the road for their first of three straight away from home, traveling to Campbell on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the match will be streamed on FloCollege. It is Longwood's second match at a CAA opponent this season following the 6-5 season-opening win at William & Mary.
