September 22, 2008
FARMVILLE, Va. - The Lancers are back on the winning track, after defeating VMI at the Athletics Complex on Saturday, Sept. 20. The team improves their overall record to 3-3-1 on the season, helping them get back to .500. Longwood played a solid first half of soccer against VMI, putting up two goals, while outshooting the Keydets 5-1. VMI would claw their way back into the game during the second half, but the Lancers would remain calm and pull out their second home victory of the season.
The result against VMI was enough to keep the Lancers in the top-10 of the North Atlantic. The team has been ranked as high as fifth this season, while going head to head with teams such as Niagara, Loyola (Md.) and St. Francis (N.Y.).
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, September 24:?Longwood at Richmond, 7:00 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Tuesday, September 16:?Longwood 2, UNC?Ashville 3
Saturday, September 20: Longwood 3, VMI 2
WHO TO WATCH: Longwood continues to share the wealth when it comes to scoring goals, with freshman Kevin Chico and Zack Mahon getting involved against VMI. The classmates both buried their first collegiate goals against the Keydets, with Chico scoring the first goal of the game and Mahon putting away what would prove to be the game winner. Sophomore Harvey Headley continues to be the go to man for the Lancers, scoring his team leading third goal of the season against the Keydets. So far this season the 5-11, forward has registered 12 shots, six of which have been on frame.
SERIES?RECORD:
Longwood vs. Richmond: 3-3-3
QUOTABLE:?
Head Coach Jon Atkinson on last week: Pleased we were able to bounce back from a disappointing set back at UNC Asheville to beat VMI at home in front of a decent crowd. Against Asheville we saw us commit some grave errors that have plagued us all season. UNC took advantage of our generosity and sealed a good win for them after we had clawed back from 0-2 down. It took a lot of heart to come back with only 10 minutes remaining but having pushed that rock up the hill we let our grip go and conceded a debatable foul on edge of box with 40 seconds left. VMI saw a far more accomplished performance and it could have been a great day if we didn't slip up and allow VMI some momentum late on - to credit VMI they never gave up and made it a real contest with 10 minutes left. Sometimes you have to just grind out a result after it had looked a formality for so long.
Atkinson on Richmond: It’s tough to know what to expect - Richmond have always had a committed team that have played us tough. Results suggest they are having a tougher time this year but I am under no illusion that this will be anything other than a tough - no holds barred - contest.
Atkinson on the season so far: We have got back to .500 for the season and if we are serious about being a top D-I contender our players have to take responsibility of their actions and fix them. We are seeing mistakes happen weekly and its not acceptable at this level. I think this stretch is good for the program as we have been wheel spinning of late and it will be good for me to see who is willing to step up and ensure our tires are firmly on the road and who are happy to be along for the ride.
Week #1: August 25-September 1
Week #2: September 1-September 8
Week #3: September 8-September 15
Week #4: September 15-September21
