September 5, 2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men's soccer team dropped a pair of matches last week, falling 3-1 at Liberty on Tuesday and dropping a 1-0 decision to North Florida on Saturday night in Farmville. The Lancers (1-2) return to action on Saturday, September 10, when they host James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association at 2:30 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville. Admission is free to all Longwood home fall athletics events.

Match Details
Opponent: James Madison
Site: Farmville, Va.
Facility: Athletics Complex
Date: September 10, 2011
Start: 2:30 p.m.

Looking Back
Longwood dropped a 3-1 decision on the road at Liberty University of the Big South Conference on Tuesday evening in Lynchburg. Junior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes) scored the goal for Longwood in the loss. The Lancers hosted the University of North Florida of the Atlantic Sun Conference on Saturday evening and dropped a 1-0 decision to the Ospreys. UNF scored the match-winning goal on a breakaway in the 88th minute.

A Look at James Madison
James Madison (2-0) opened its 2011 season with victories over Florida Atlantic (1-0) and UNC Asheville (4-1). Five different players have scored for the Dukes, with Dale Robins-Bailey leading the way with one goal and two assists. JMU is led by 26th-year head coach Tom Martin.

Saturday Night Fever
The Lancers play a home match on the first six Saturday's of the season, four of them at night. Longwood opened with a 2-0 victory over Randolph College on August 27 before falling to the University of North Florida 1-0 on September 3. The Lancers host James Madison University (9.10, 2:30 p.m.), Towson University (9.17, 7 p.m.), the University of Maryland Baltimore County (9.24, 7 p.m.) and the University of Richmond (10.1, 7 p.m.). Longwood also hosts a Saturday home match against Atlantic Soccer Conference foe Howard (10.22, 7 p.m.)

Opportunities
Longwood has outshot opponents 31-20 this season, including 15-9 in the second half. The Lancers also have a 23-7 advantage in corner kicks.

Shutouts
Senior goalkeeper Joel Helmick|Springfield (W.T. Woodson) has recorded nine shutouts in his four-year career, with at least one shutout every season after his season-opening perfect match against visiting Randolph College.

Freshman Scorer
Zach Crandall|Lorton (South County Secondary) scored an insurance goal for the Lancers in their victory over Randolph College. In 2010, the only freshman to score a goal was Nick Surkamp, who also scored against Randolph in the season-opener.

Home Field
Longwood has posted a 22-16-7 record at the Athletics Complex since the facility opened for the 2006 season, including a 5-2 mark in 2009. The Lancers went 2-4-4 in home contests in 2010 and are a perfect 1-0 in 2011.

Familiar Faces
Longwood welcomes back three three-year starters in 2011. Goalkeeper Joel Helmick has started 49 of 52 matches and posted a career 1.53 goals against average. Forward Zack Mahon|San Antonio, Texas (William Howard Taft) has scored six goals with two assists for 14 points including a career-high four goals in 2010. Defender Shane Johnson|Ashburn (Broad Run) has appeared in 52 matches with 51 starts and has scored three goals with four assists for 10 points.

Up Next
Longwood faces in-state foe Virginia Tech on Tuesday, September 13, at 7 p.m. in Blacksburg. The Lancers return home to host Towson University on Saturday, September 17, at 7 p.m. at the Athletics Complex in Farmville.