Longwood Men fall to Campbell, 1-0

LONGWOOD DROPS 1-0 DECISION TO CAMPBELL

 

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Big South Conference opponent Campbell University (5-2-1, 1-1 BSC), who recorded a last minute goal to seal the victory on Wednesday evening at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton) and freshman Mike Durr|Brandon, Miss. (Brandon) led the Lancers (2-7-1, 2-5-1 BSC) with one shot apiece in the outing. Longwood returns to action on Saturday, September 29 when the squad travels to George Washington University for a 1 p.m. tilt.

“We can take heart from the fact that we worked hard and looked the most organized that we have all season,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “To concede with an own goal with seconds to go is a tough pill to swallow, but knowing the character of our lads, I know we will bounce back and continue to improve.”

The teams battled back and forth in the middle of the field early in the game, as neither squad was able to get a shot off until the Camels hit the post on a header in the 19^th minute. Campbell posted three more shots in the first half before the game was delayed over 20 minutes due to a Longwood injury in the 38^th minute of the match. When play resumed, Longwood and Campbell traded possessions until time expired, sending the teams into the break knotted at 0-0.

Coming out of halftime, the Lancers had a chance to get on the board in the 55^th minute when a good cross found Durr inside the box for the redirect, but his shot skidded just right of the net. The stalemate continued through most of the second half, but Campbell’s Mitchell Cardenas took control of the ball with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation and lofted a shot towards the net that hit the crossbar before bouncing off the back of sophomore goalkeeper Paul Hegedus|Ashburn ( Broad Run) and into the goal, securing the slim, 1-0 victory for the Camels.

Campbell outshot Longwood, 9-2, in the outing and forced more corner kicks, 6-2. Wednesday’s match marked the first meeting ever between Longwood and Campbell in the sport of men’s soccer.