On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Longwood’s men’s soccer team traveled to Conway, S.C., where they played the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the First Round of the Big South Tournament. The No. 7 seed Lancers fell to the No. 2 seed Chanticleers for the second time this season 2-1.
This loss came just three days after the Chanticleers defeated the Lancers, in Conway, 7-0. According to head coach Jon Atkinson, going into the tournament the team's mindset was to avoid another 7-0 loss, while improving on the many things they didn't do well.
Coastal Carolina put two goals in the back of the net in the last 11 minutes of the first half; this would be enough to cement a win for the Chanticleers.
Longwood tried to post a second-half comeback, but were halted in the end by an overpowering Chanticleer team.
“It is always hard to end a season, but I am immensely proud of the effort and the way the lads pushed Coastal all the way,” said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson, from Longwood Athletics’ website. “There were moments in the second half when we were looking like we could cause the upset.”
Longwood’s lone goal came from sophomore forward Nnamdi Ikeazor in the 66th minute of the contest. The goal came off an assist from redshirt-freshman midfielder Daniel Campos; who earlier Tuesday was named to the Second- Team All-Conference team, along with being named to the All-Freshman Team (Big South).
Sophomore goalkeeper, Carlos Canas, got the start in the game over junior Carl Carpenter. Both goalies saw action in the 7-0 loss. Canas out-shined Carpenter in this game, he allowed three goals and made seven saves, while Carpenter allowed four goals with just one save.
Atkinson said in a phone interview on Monday, Nov. 10th he was making his decision the morning before the game at breakfast after he was able to see both players at practice.
With this loss the Lancers’ two seniors Anthony Ugorji, forward, and Jonathan Kukapa, defense/ mid-field, have played their last collegiate game in the blue and white.
