BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Freshman Nnamdi Ikeazor/Lagos, Nigeria scored his first career goal, as the Longwood University men’s soccer team faced a 3-1 setback at Big South Conference opponent Campbell University (4-6-3, 4-0-1) in a clash between two previously unbeaten in conference teams on Wednesday evening. Freshman Vaughn Fowler/Chester added a point for the Lancers, as well, recording his second consecutive game with an assist. Longwood (5-5-3) returns home to host fellow league member Winthrop University on Saturday, October 26 at 6 p.m.

“It goes without saying that we are disappointed with the result, and we should be as we had a good say in the argument tonight,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We started well, playing some good possession soccer and were unfortunate to go behind when we did. Campbell is a good team and their threat is there to see, but I felt their goalkeeper was the man of the match, making some crucial saves when the game could have gone either way. That’s soccer – you must take your chances and Campbell took theirs. Lessons learned and plenty to still play for. Disappointment is part of sport and it can be used for future success.”

Longwood controlled the pace of play early in the contest, outshooting the Fighting Camels, 4-0, in the first 17 minutes. Sophomore Lee Martin/Gambrills, Md. recorded the first two attempts of the night for the Lancers, but both were knocked away by CU keeper Ethan Hall. Classmate Rhys Cairns/Washington, England followed with a strike that was blocked by a defender before fellow sophomore Zach Corcoran/Martinsville fired on target, but his shot was stopped at the line by Hall once again. Campbell pulled ahead, 1-0, in the 26th minute, when Jhuvon Francis ran on to a long clearance by Bryce Miller before tapping the ball around freshman goalkeeper Carlos Canas/Manassas and into the net. The Fighting Camels’ lead would not last long, however, as Fowler dished a pass into the circle for Ikeazor, who fired a hard shot past the opposition to knot the score at 1-1. CU tallied the final two chances of the half, but was unable to capitalize, making it a 1-1 draw at the half.

The Lancers opened the second half with a pair of shots by Corcoran and one from junior Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C., but Campbell followed with what would be the game-winner in the 57th minute when Francis played in a rebound off the post to give CU a 2-1 edge. Sophomores Sam Yardley/Fairfax Station and Christian Keilty/Spotsylvania both put a shot on goal in the next 12 minutes, but Hall deflected both. Francis completed his hat trick and added an insurance goal for Campbell in the 81st minute to seal the 3-1 decision for the Fighting Camels.

Longwood and Campbell each tallied 12 shots in the match, while the Lancers took a 9-7 edge in chances on goal. Canas totaled four saves on the day, while Corcoran paced the team with four shots. Wednesday’s contest marked just the second meeting ever between Longwood and Campbell in the sport of men’s soccer. The Fighting Camels now hold a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series.
 

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