GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Longwood University men’s soccer team conceded an early goal in a 1-0 setback at UNC Greensboro (5-4-0) on Saturday evening in Greensboro, North Carolina. The difference-maker came in just the fourth minute of play off the foot of David Reittinger. Longwood was paced by sophomore Zach Crandall/Lorton with three shots in the match, all of which were on goal, while senior Brian Henry/Stafford added two attempts of his own. Longwood (1-4-2) will return to action on Wednesday, October 2 when the squad hosts Belmont University in a 7 p.m. tilt at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.

“The game is always about who can take their chances and we were caught napping in the first 15 minutes, allowing UNCG to edge ahead,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “UNCG is a quality team with good international flavor, so there’s nothing to be ashamed about, but once we got a foothold in the game, it could have been a different outcome. We can always say the penalty kick save was pivotal, which it was, but we can also say we didn’t quite do enough to turn the game on its head given the possession we had, which didn’t translate as well into the final third as we would have liked. We also have to congratulate Carlos, who kept us in it at crucial times.”

UNCG was quick to attack, opening the game with three shots in the fourth minute of play. The first two attempts were knocked away by the Lancers freshman keeper Carlos Canas/Manassas, but the third found the back of the net, as Brian Graham set up teammate Reittinger for a strike from 12 yards out to give the Spartans a 1-0 advantage. Longwood took control of the momentum, however, outshooting UNCG, 4-1, over the next 18 minutes. Henry logged the first two chances of the night for the Lancers, including a penalty kick in the 18th minute that was knocked away by opposing keeper Stephen Moffitt. Crandall followed with two chances of his own, both of which were also saved by Moffitt. The Spartans then retaliated with four shots before sophomore Mike Durr/Brandon, Mississippi fired one of his own that missed wide in the final minutes of the half, sending the Lancers into the break facing a one-goal deficit.

After more than 13 minutes of back-and-forth action, UNCG recorded the first shot of the half off the foot of Dustin Gamradt that flew high. The Spartans followed with five more attempts, including four on target that were saved by Canas. In the 70th minute, Crandall came close to knotting the game for the Lancers, but his shot was saved by Moffitt. Longwood registered two more chances in the waning minutes of the match, as juniors Anthony Ugorji/Washington, D.C. and Jonathan Kukapa/Leesburg both had attempts turned away, allowing UNCG to secure the close, 1-0 decision.

The Spartans outshot the Lancers, 17-8, in the outing, while taking just a slight, 9-6, edge in shots on goal. The home squad also recorded four corner kick opportunities compared to one for the Lancers. Canas registered eight saves on the night in his complete game performance in front of the net for Longwood. Saturday’s match marked the 10th meeting ever between Longwood and UNC Greensboro in the sport of men’s soccer. The Spartans now hold an 8-1-1 advantage in the all-time series.

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