Within 90 minutes of play saw the official present five yellow cards and one red card, beginning in the first five minutes of the tense game ultimately ending in Longwood’s second straight home loss, a 1-0 defeat to George Mason University (GMU).
Ten minutes into the second half, junior forward Matt Tucker scored off a rebound to put George Mason (4-4-0) ahead with the only goal of the game. Tucker’s first goal of the season came off of his only shot of the game.
“It was a disappointment to drop a game that was within our grasp,” said Longwood men’s soccer head coach Jon Atkinson.
After another 10 minutes, a second yellow card followed by a red sent Longwood senior defender Sam Yardley off the field and forced the Lancers to play a man down for the last 25 minutes.
Despite outshooting George Mason (15-10), only three shots were on frame, all saved by GMU senior goalkeeper Michael Butts.
Both Longwood junior midfielders Daniel Campos and Finnlay Wyatt recorded three shots, one on goal apiece.
All three of Longwood’s (3-3-0) shots on goal occurred in response to both George Mason’s goal and playing with 10 on the field.
GMU junior midfielder Daniel Hoffman led his team in shots (4) and had their only other shot on goal.
The game marked Longwood junior goalkeeper Carlos Canas’, the current Big South Defensive Player of the Week, first home start.
Moving forward, Tuesday night marked the end of the majority of non-conference play, excluding their game against University of Portland on Oct. 1.
Longwood will face their first Big South opponent Campbell University (4-3-0) this Saturday, Sept. 26.
“We can look at this as an opportunity to learn and get ready for conference play,” said Atkinson.
The Lancers will enter the conference games with an improved record over last year’s when they began the season 1-5-1.
Junior midfielder Daniel Campos tallied three shots, one on goal in Longwood's Tuesday night 1-0 loss to George Mason.
