Score: Longwood 1, VMI 0
Site: Farmville, Va. (Longwood Athletics Complex)
Records: Longwood (5-8-4, 1-2-2); VMI (2-14-1, 0-7)
Up Next for VMI: 11/2 - Big South Tournament, First Round - vs. Winthrop (Radford, Va.), 12 p.m.



Farmville, Va. -- The VMI men's soccer team headed to Longwood University looking to gain a little momentum heading into the Big South Conference tournament. However, they came away with another heartbreaking one-goal loss, their fourth in six matches, as the Lancers defeated the Keydets 1-0 at the Longwood Athletics Complex.

Longwood picked up its second straight win, and improves to 5-8-1 on the year. The Keydets fall to 2-14-1 overall.

For the second straight game and seventh time this season, the Keydets managed to hold its opponent to a goal or less. Unfortunately for VMI, they are just 2-4-1 in those games. The Keydets dropped their fourth 1-0 loss of the season to the Longwood Lancers after managing only four shots in the contest. VMI did, however, earn more corner kicks in the game (7-4), and committed just six fouls to the Lancers' 11.

Longwood freshman midfielder Brian Germain provided the only scoring of the match in the 33rd minute when he finished a cross from teammate Giovanni Peralta to give his team a lead they would not relinquish.

Senior forward Mike Lloyd led the Keydets on the day with a pair of shots. However, Longwood keeper Brandt Youmans was forced to make just one save to earn his fifth victory of the season, all coming via a shutout. VMI keeper Thomas Upton had another solid day in net for the Keydets, grabbing seven saves in the match.

Being a non-conference matchup, VMI head coach Ben Freakley was able to preserve brother's Charles and Tony Nweke, each of whom have four yellow cards on the season. As per NCAA rules, accumulation of five yellow cards results in a player having to miss the following match. Tony did not see action while Charles played just eight minutes in the game, coming off the bench for just the second time in his career.

The Keydets will have a little over a week off to get ready for the opening round of the Big South Conference tournament, which kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Radford University. The Keydets will play regular-season champion Winthrop University at RU Soccer Complex, with game time slated for 12 p.m.


Game Notes:

-Longwood defeated the Keydets for the sixth time in school history, improving their series lead to 6-2 in eight meetings.
-VMI goalie Thomas Upton moves to within 78 minutes of the all-time minutes-played record at VMI, having now logged 3,802:29 minutes in goal.
-VMI forward Charles Nweke did not start for just the second time in his four-year career.



See Also:
2006 Photos Ą 2006 Season Stats Ą Career Stats Ą 2006 VMI Media Guide