The men's soccer team scratched and clawed its way to a 3-3 tie against James Madison University on Saturday, Sept. 10. The game was held at the Athletics Complex in Farmville and ended after double-overtime. Sophomore Nick Surkamp scored one goal and also had one assist. Senior Lancers goalkeeper Joel Helmick worked all afternoon in front of the net racking up a season-high eight saves.
The Dukes drew first blood with a goal in the 20th minute, but Longwood countered with a goal of their own one minute later. Freshman Zack Crandall scored after receiving a throw-in from Surkamp, tying the game 1-1. JMU's Patrick Innes scored the second goal in the 24th minute giving the Dukes a 2-1 lead at the half.
The Lancers tied the Dukes in the second half after Surkamp scored on a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Longwood took the lead for the first time in the 77th minute after a goal by senior Zack Mahon. Sophomore Jared Windt sent a cross kick in Mahon's direction which Mahon headed into the net. The Lancers defense continued to play well throughout the second half, including a save on the goal line by junior Michael Tegler. JMU re-tied the game in the 82nd minute after a header from Adam Bastidas. Helmick made three saves in the last five minutes to keep the game knotted at 3-3.
Longwood's best chance to end the game came in the second overtime period. Surkamp received a ball after a corner kick and sent a shot off the crossbar. The game ended with the score still at 3-3. The game featured a lot of contact from both Longwood and JMU. A total of seven yellow cards were given during the course of the game; six to the Lancers and one to the Dukes.
"It was a very tough game, very physical," said head coach Jon Atkinson. "It was good football. James Madison is a very strong outfit. To get that result today is a moral victory for Longwood and our soccer program."
Atkinson also looked forward to the Lancers' next big matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Tuesday.
"Every game is massive. The energy levels, the work rate, the tenacity, the discipline, it all goes into the performance. You need a little good fortune interspersed amongst that. We'll work on a being a little more composed and being able to possess the ball against caliber opposition. We have to be organized and shift as a unit to try and keep hold of that team."
