WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team earned its first non-conference win the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating host George Washington (3-6-0), 3-1, in Washington, D.C. The Lancers (3-7-1) were led by sophomore Jonathan Kukapa|Leesburg (Clarksburg Md.), who played a role in all three of the team’s goals to tally a career-high four points in the match. In the squad’s next outing, Longwood will return home to host Big South Conference opponent Radford on October 3 at 7 p.m.

“It’s sometimes easier to be overly positive on the heels of a victory, but this was indeed a solid, enjoyable performance with plenty of positives for our team,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “Even after going down a goal in the first half, I was happy with how the boys applied themselves, and if it wasn’t going to be our day, it wasn’t going to be without playing some good, attractive soccer. Goals are the lifeblood of the game and we showed great character in the first half by coming back, but then we manufactured some excellent chances in the latter part of the second half.

“I’m glad for the squad, as they have been working so hard and have been improving with every game.”

Kukapa notched his second career goal, in addition to a personal-best two assists en route to a career-high four points in the outing. Sophomore Anthony Ugorji|Washington, D.C. also scored the second goal of his career in the victory, while freshman Zach Corcoran|Martinsville (Martinsville) notched the first points of his collegiate career with a goal to add to the Lancers’ offensive effort. Senior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) and freshman Sam Yardley|Fairfax Station (Robinson) tallied one assist apiece on the day. Sophomore goalkeeper Paul Hegedus|Ashburn (Broad Run) recorded the first win of his career in net for Longwood, making three saves in the complete-game performance.

The squads were evenly matched in the first half, as both sides notched six shots and two corner kicks in the first 45 minutes. George Washington broke the game open in the 29th minute on a successful penalty kick by Seth Rudolph, giving the Colonials a 1-0 advantage.

Just over seven minutes later, the Lancers retaliated when Kukapa dished a pass towards the left side of the box for Ugorji, whose one-touch shot found the lower right corner of the net to knot the game at 1-1. The squads traded possessions in the remaining minutes of the half to head into the break still tied at one apiece.

Coming out of halftime, Kukapa scored the go-ahead goal and the eventual game-winner with assists from Pierce and Yardley in the 56th minute. After the initial shot on goal from Pierce, Kukapa picked up the rebound on the left side of the net and sent a shot skidding past the GW keeper. The Lancers added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute, as Kukapa dribbled down the left side of the field and found Corcoran open near the right post for the shot and goal to seal the 3-1 victory against the Colonials.

Longwood and George Washington each registered 12 shots in the match, while George Washington took a slight, 5-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Saturday’s contest marked the seventh meeting ever between the Lancers and the Colonials in the sport of men’s soccer. After Longwood’s victory, GW now holds just a slim, 4-3 edge in the all-time series. 

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