Late goal give Lancers men 1-0 win over UNCA

LONGWOOD EARNS 1-0 VICTORY AT UNCA 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team scored a late goal to earn a 1-0 victory at Big South Conference foe UNC Asheville (1-4-0) on Sunday afternoon. Senior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) converted on a penalty kick to lead the Lancers (1-4-0) to their first win of the 2012 season. Longwood returns to action on Wednesday, September 12 when the squad hosts VMI at the Athletics Complex in Farmville, Va. at 7 p.m.

“This was a historic win for Longwood Athletics and the men’s soccer program, and we are delighted,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “It wasn’t a masterpiece by any stretch, but today was all about the result. The game was back-and-forth and UNCA pegged us back at times, but we had a sense that one goal would have been enough. I am delighted for the lads, and to get the result on the road with nine starting freshmen was a huge plus.

“We have to improve, and we will, but today was all about getting a positive result and building in readiness for VMI on Wednesday.”

The teams traded possessions in the first half, with neither squad able to move the net through the first 45 minutes of action. After the break, Longwood and UNCA battled through over 28 minutes more minutes of play locked in a scoreless tie. The winning goal came in the 74^th minute, when Pierce was awarded a penalty kick for the Lancers and fired a hard shot that found its way past the UNCA keeper.

Pierce led Longwood with four shots on the day. Freshman Zach Corcoran|Martinsville (Martinsville) tallied two shots of his own, while senior Adel Sarras|Burke (Annandale), and freshmen Rhys Cairns|Washington, England (St. Roberts of Newminster RC School) and Will Lambert|Charlottesville (Monticello) each posted one. Freshman goalkeeper Carl Carpenter|Charlottesville (St. Anne's Belfield School) turned in a complete game performance in the net for the Lancers, making four saves to earn his first career win.

The Bulldogs finished with a slight, 12-11, edge over the Lancers in shots on the day. UNCA forced seven corner kicks, compared to four for Longwood. Kenneth Lingerfelt and Paul Egle led the offensive effort for the Bulldogs with three shots apiece.

Sunday’s match marked the fifth meeting between Longwood and UNC Ashville in the sport of men’s soccer, and the first win for LU. The Bulldogs now lead the all-time series 3-1-1.