November 13, 2009

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University men's soccer team defeated Houston Baptist University 3-2 in the Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) tournament semifinals on Friday night at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Senior Martin Vickerton/Derbyshire, England (Kirk Hallam CTC) scored a pair of goals, including one on a penalty kick, and classmate Brian Germain/McLean (Langley) added a pair of assists to propel the Lancers to victory. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, November 15, when it takes on Adelphi University in the ASC championship game at 12 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

Longwood (6-11-2) played controlled soccer in the first half, outshooting Houston Baptist (6-11-0) 11-1 in the opening period. The Lancers could not connect until a corner kick in the 37th minute. Germain sent the corner all the way across the field to the far side of the box where junior Harvey Headley/Coventry, England (Stoke Park) got his head on the ball and sent it to the middle where sophomore Shane Johnson/Ashburn (Broad Run) was waiting to head the ball into the open side of the net, giving Longwood the 1-0 lead. They would add to that lead just before halftime when Germain found Vickerton open in front of the net and Vickerton sent the ball low and to the left corner to give the Lancers a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Longwood controlled play in the second half as well, but several unfortunate incidents led to a tied match with just over 20 minutes remaining. The Huskies pulled within one goal at 2-1 after Longwood goalkeeper Joel Helmick/Springfield (W.T. Woodson) kicked the ball that bounced off HBU's Joelle Daniel 25 yards from the goal and went over Helmick's head and in to the net. The Huskies' second goal was an own goal by Longwood, evening the match at 2-2 in the 70th minute. Headley had a penalty kick opportunity in the 74th minute but sent his shot high. In the 83rd minute, senior Chernor Diallo/Alexandria (Mount Vernon) drew another penalty kick when he was taken down in the box by the goalkeeper. Vickerton took the shot and sent it low and hard and past the keeper to make the final score 3-2.

“I'm proud of the boys tonight,” said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. “We showed character throughout and relied on our seniors to get the job done. Brian was our supply line through the middle and Martin's two goal were invaluable. We just need to go out and finish it now on Sunday.”

Longwood outshot HBU 19-6 while the Huskies had a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.