FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team conceded a goal in the 82nd minute to fall, 1-0, against unbeaten Davidson College (4-0-1) on Saturday afternoon at the Athletics Complex. Five different Lancers logged one shot apiece in the outing, while the Wildcats were led by Alec Rotunda, who posted a team-best four shots, including the game-winning goal. Longwood (1-2-1) will return to action on Tuesday, September 17 when the squad continues its stretch of four consecutive home games with a match against American University beginning at 7 p.m. in Farmville.

“It’s disappointing to lose on our home turf in front of our home fans,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “I think we put together a complete game performance out there. We worked hard and were willing, but I think we just didn’t solve some of the problems we possessed. Take no credit away from Davidson, though. They are a good soccer team and they made us work hard out there. They finally got a chance from a set piece, and that one chance sealed it. We had a chance early on with Anthony and Jared that we’d like to take back. I think that might have settled us down and allowed us to play to a higher level. We’re going to ask the guys why they were unable to reach the high notes of previous games because I think there is more for us to do internally so we can produce the levels and performance that’s needed to make this a very good season.

“While disappointed, we’re not too down-hearted about the team’s performance. I think there was enough in there, but I know we’ve got a few more gears to go and that’s a plus, as well. The challenge is to make sure we move up those gears in the next couple of games, and it’s not going to get easier against American.”

Davidson recorded the first two attempts of the match, including a hard shot from 18 yards out that was caught by junior goalkeeper Paul Hegedus/Ashburn. The Wildcats then earned four-straight corner kicks, threatening to score on the first one, as Rotunda fired a strong shot towards the net, but it was cleanly blocked by sophomore Reis Cairns/Washington, England. In the 15th minute, junior Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C. dished a short pass to senior Jared Windt/Haymarket, who put the first shot on the board for the Lancers, but his effort missed just barely wide. Sophomores Lee Martin/Gambrills, Md. and Zach Crandall/Lorton followed with one shot apiece, but neither were on target. Longwood earned a corner kick in the final seconds of the half, and after senior Brian Henry/Stafford played the ball in, junior Daena Bodie/Guernsey, England jumped for a header, but the ball sailed high, sending the teams into the break knotted at 0-0.

The Wildcats took a 7-1 shot advantage in the second half, including the first three shots of the period, one of which was a close-range boot that was saved by Longwood’s new keeper, freshman Carlos Canas/Manassas. Sophomore Mike Durr/Brandon, Miss. tallied the Lancers’ lone chance of the second half, launching a free kick from 24 yards, but it was knocked away by Davidson’s Matt Pacifici. The Wildcats retaliated with three quick shots, however Canas made a kneeling grab for the only one on goal. The difference-maker came with just over eight minutes to play, as Rotunda’s header found the back of the net following a corner kick by teammate Alex Feliciano to give the Wildcats the 1-0 margin of victory.

Davidson outshot Longwood, 14-5, in the match, and forced more corner kicks, 8-2. Hegedus and Canas split time in net for the Lancers, as Canas recorded three saves in his first-career appearance.

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