FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team battled to a 2-2, double-overtime draw against Big South Conference opponent High Point University (2-4-1, 0-0-1) in the squads’ league opener on Monday evening at the Athletics Complex. The Lancers, who never trailed in the outing, held a 2-1 edge for over 35 minutes in the second half before conceding a goal in the 88th minute, allowing the Panthers to tie the score and force overtime. Sophomore Rhys Cairns/Washington, England logged one goal and one assist, while classmate Mike Durr/Brandon, Mississippi tallied a goal of his own to lead the Lancers in the decision. Mamadee Nyepon notched both goals for the Panthers. Longwood (1-3-2, 0-0-1) breaks its four-game home stand when the squad travels to UNC Greensboro on Saturday, September 28 for a 7 p.m. tilt. 

“A point against a tough HPU team is never a bad result, but on reflection and judging by the lads reaction after the final whistle, we can count ourselves unlucky to not take all three points,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “I thought we did a good enough job of nullifying their threat, and in turn, managed to translate some good possession into good chances. Losing our two starting center backs could have been a cruel blow, but our stand-ins did an admirable job. Up one goal, we need to learn how to close out games. We showed some naivety, but overall, I am delighted with the application from the lads and this should springboard our season if we show the same commitment from here on out.”

Longwood took control early and forced the attack to pull ahead, 1-0, in the 12th minute. Junior Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C. sent a cross from the left side that ricocheted off a defender and bounced out of box before finding the foot of Cairns, who wound up and fired high to the upper right corner for the goal. The Lancers threatened to add to their lead three minutes later with header from Ugorji, but HPU keeper Ryan Massey came up with the grab. The Panthers knotted the score in the 22nd minute, as Ben Burdon sent a pass into the box for a one touch from Matt Gweh to Nyepon for the goal. In the final minutes of the half, sophomore Zach Crandall/Lorton sent a shot high and HPU had a pair of chances, but neither team was able to convert, keeping the score, 1-1, at the break.

Although High Point notched the first two shots of the second half, Longwood regained the upper hand at 2-1 in the 54th minute when Cairns played the ball in on a set piece to Durr, who found the back of the net on a header. The squad came close to adding to its advantage when Crandall put the ball in the net, but the shot was called off for being taken offsides. HPU’s Renato Punyed launched a shot from 25 yards out that sailed just barely wide before freshman Ben Ferrell/Fairfax Station tallied consecutive shots in the last five minutes. With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Nyepon received a pass from Pat Shelton in the box and slipped a shot past freshman goalkeeper Carlos Canas/Manassas to tie the score at 2-2 and send the game into overtime.

High Point outshot Longwood, 6-2, through both overtimes, but Longwood played solid defense to keep the stalemate intact. Longwood’s only chance of the first overtime was off the foot of Crandall, but another offsides call cleared the ball out of the box. In the second overtime, Crandall struck again with a strong header, but his attempt was saved to seal the 2-2 decision.

High Point took a slight, 17-15 edge in shots, while Longwood had a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Crandall led the Lancers with six shots on the night, while Nyepon added six of his own for the Panthers. Monday’s match marked the 12th meeting ever between Longwood and High Point in the sport of men’s soccer. The all-time series between the two squads remains tied at 5-5-2.

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