DAYTON, Ohio – The Longwood men's soccer team took part in its final exhibition of the preseason, squaring off against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Longwood's second scrimmage throughout its nine-day preseason comes against a Wright State team that won 10 games a season ago en route to a fourth-place finish a season ago in the 10-team Horizon League.

"It certainly was a big test today with new conditions presented that will help us," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson. 
 
One year removed from a Big South Championship game appearance, Atkinson's squad battled the Raiders for 90 minutes.
 
Longwood deployed 22 of 24 players available for the game with 13 of the 19 newcomers earning playing time, including seven in the starting lineup.

"First half was quite pleasing and showed more symmetry and good looks at goal," Atkinson said. "In the second half, we struggled to recapture the rhythm of the first, so we have to start focusing for the full 90 minutes."
 
The game marks the final preseason tune-up for the Lancers after facing Barton Wednesday night at the Athletics Complex. During the two games, Longwood was able to integrate its newcomers into the team, as Longwood returns two starters – Sherif Maalouf and Josh Hanratty -- from last season.
 
With preseason schedule complete, Longwood will turn its attention to its 2018 season opener at VMI on Friday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m.

"With a young squad, we could probably use a few more games to bed us in," Atkinson said. "However, there is enough ability to learn on the fly and we will embrace our game Friday with optimism."
 
Friday's matchup marks the fifth consecutive campaign that the Lancers and Keydets have opened the season and the eighth straight season the two teams have met with Longwood going 6-0-1 in that span
 
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