NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team earned a 2-2 draw in double-overtime at Belmont University (5-7-2) of the Ohio Valley Conference on Saturday evening in Nashville, Tenn. Senior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Kempsville) and freshman Sam Yardley|Fairfax Station (Robinson) each scored one goal apiece in the outing for the Lancers (3-9-3). Longwood will return to action on Wednesday, October 17 at 3 p.m. when the squad travels to American University of the Patriot League.

“To get a result on the road is always pleasing, but this performance will not go down as a masterpiece,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “We will take the point and look at the positive of showing good character to bounce back twice, but understand we have plenty of work ahead to avoid another slow start.”

The Bruins outshot the Lancers 8-2 in the first half, but a strong defensive effort by sophomore goalkeeper Paul Hegedus|Ashbrun (Broad Run) and the rest of the LU back line, extinguished Belmont’s opportunities, keeping the match scoreless through the first 45 minutes of play and sending the teams into halftime knotted at 0-0.

Coming out of the half, Belmont took a 1-0 lead when Nico Olsak sent a cross to teammate Raphael Colmanette for the shot and goal in the 67th minute.

The Lancers tied the match in the 74th minute, as Sam Yardley countered a Belmont defender to take possession of the ball and score unassisted, making it a 1-1 game.

Belmont quickly retaliated to regain the lead less than one minute later. Alfred Edmonds took the ball on a breakaway down the field before dishing a cross to Luca Schioppa, who sent a shot skidding by Hegedus to give his squad the 2-1 advantage.

Longwood would not go quietly, tying the match at 2-2 on a shot from beyond the 18-yard box by Pierce in the 83rd minute. Neither side was able to take the lead before the end of regulation, forcing a 10-minute, sudden-victory overtime period. 

Longwood notched the only shot of the first overtime, but could not convert, causing the game to move to a second overtime period. The stalemate continued through the final 10 minutes of the game, ending in the 2-2 draw.

Belmont took a 12-5 shot advantage in the outing and a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks. In addition to Yardley and Pierce, senior Vinnie Llana|Raleigh, N.C. (Broughton), junior Jared Windt|Haymarket (Battlefield) and sophomore Jonathan Kukapa|Leesburg (Clarksburg Md.) also tallied one shot apiece in the outing. Hegedus totaled four saves in the complete-game performance.  Schioppa led the Bruins with four shots in the contest.

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

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