FARMVILLE, Va. – Three different Lancers scored one goal apiece to lead the Longwood University men’s soccer team to a 3-1 victory against IUPUI (0-2-2) in the squad’s home opener on Sunday afternoon at the Athletics Complex. Sophomore Mike Durr/Brandon, Mississippi recorded the game-winner in the 42nd minute to propel Longwood (1-1-1) to its first win of the young season. Junior Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C. and sophomore Zach Crandall/Lorton also logged one goal each in the decision. Ian Block notched the lone goal for the Jaguars in the match. Longwood will return to action on Saturday, September 14 when the squad hosts Davidson College beginning at 3 p.m.

“It’s great to get off the mark and reward the guys for all the hard work they have been doing,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We saw the majority of the team perform at a high level, which gave us the platform for the result. IUPUI was a tricky opponent that worked hard behind the ball. I thought we put in the best performance to date with the promise of more to come. Another positive is seeing the net bulge a few times with Crandall’s shot being the pick of the bunch and it secured the win. We haven’t been finishing well as of late and this result will improve the confidence, which I think has been the missing ingredient until now.

“My only disappointment was the final 10 minutes where we allowed ourselves to be knocked off our rhythm and embroiled in unnecessary altercations. We need to mature in these areas to solidify the season, but we can use this as a good confidence-builder in readiness for our next opponent.”

The Lancers broke the game open with their first goal of the season in the 10th minute of play. Sophomore Philip van Berkom/Zetten, the Netherlands sent a cross from the far right side of the field to Ugorji, who put back-to-back headers on goal, scoring on the second after the first attempt was saved to make it 1-0 in favor of the home squad. IUPUI retaliated with a shot on its next two possessions, but both sailed wide of the net. Longwood threatened to extend its margin following a yellow card on IUPUI’s Olayode Ahmed, as Durr fired a hard free kick from 25 yards out, but it missed high. Durr had another chance late in the half and this time converted on the opportunity, intercepting a header by an opposing defender before taking a shot from 12 yards that curled into the upper right-hand corner of the net to give Longwood a 2-0 advantage at the break.

Coming out of halftime, Longwood attacked quickly, as Crandall launched a shot from more than 30 yards out that flew past the diving goalkeeper, Eduardo Cortes, and found the upper 90 to put the Lancers on top, 3-0, in the 46th minute. IUPUI answered with three solid chances, including two headers off throw-in attempts and a hard shot by Evan Smith that was batted away by junior goalkeeper Paul Hegedus/Ashburn. The Jaguars converted on their fourth and final attempt of the half when Block launched a high shot from the right side that found its way over a falling Hegedus and into the back of the net in the 85th minute. The Lancers controlled the pace of play in the waning minutes of the match, however, to seal the 3-1 decision.

Longwood took a slight, 7-6 edge in shots on the day, while also earning more corner kicks, 4-1. Durr and Ugorji led the Lancers with two shots each, while Crandall and seniors Jared Windt/Haymarket and Brian Henry/Stafford added one apiece. Hegedus made one save in the complete game performance, as well. Block led the Jaguars with two shots in the decision.

Sunday’s match marked the first meeting ever between Longwood and IUPUI in the sport of men’s soccer.
 

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