MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY: Week #3
Lancers Head To High Point Before Hosting Towson
September 8, 2008
FARMVILLE, Va. - After a stellar home performance, the Lancers return to the road to take on High Point before heading back home to face Towson. Last week the Lancers, led by freshman defender Shane Johnson, defeated a strong George Washington side. The Lancers fought through horrible weather conditions to please the home crowd by pulling out a 2-1 victory.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, September 10:?Longwood at High Point, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 13: Longwood vs. Towson, 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Friday, September 5: Longwood 2, George Washington 1
WHO TO WATCH: Freshman Shane Johnson scored the game winning goal for the Lancers in their victory over George Washington. Johnson is one of the anchors to the Longwood defense, despite only being a freshman. Chernor Diallo scored the other Lancer goal in the George Washington game after being set up by Giovanni Peralta.
SERIES?RECORD:
Longwood vs. High Point: 4-3
Longwood vs. Towson: 0-2
QUOTABLE:?
Head Coach Jon Atkinson on last week: Overall quite pleased with teh start this team has made. We have witnessed quiet a few emotions with an opening day loss against Niagara and a great comeback agaisnt a good Coastal team and to show it was no fluke we turned over GW 2-1 on Wednesday. We have picked up a few key injuries and this soured the Coastal game but thats life and thats why we have a solid squad. What has pleased me more is the fact we have found the back of the net a few times as this was an area we struggled last year. Another pleasing note is the contribution of some key freshmen who have acclimatized to college ball smoothly notably Joel Helmick, Shane Johnson, Bojan Mijatovic and Kevin Chico...there is plenty more to come from some freshmen who are learning their trade but our older players have been instrumental in setting the tone in every game.
Atkinson on this week: Both teams have been involved in tough, tight games with all their games being a one goal differential so we should expect nothing less than a battle. High point are a lot better this year and Dustin has them playing tough so we will have to be on top of our game to take the spoils. Towson, although 1-2 have played a tough schedule and will give us all we can handle. The last encounter was a tight 1-0 loss at Towson two seasons ago and I expect both squads have improved so this should be a great game for the spectators to witness.
Atkinson on the home crowd: We had great support in our rain soaked home opener and I would be delighted if they turned up again to cheer us on. It means so much to see the fans act as a 12th man to will us along through thick and thin. It adds so much to these young boys experience of playing for the Lancers.
