Two Lancers scored their first goals of the season on the way to Longwood’s first Big South victory, taking down the Campbell University Camels 2-1.
Longwood junior midfielder Daniel Campos and sophomore Marten Pajunurm finished both their goals in the first half, when Longwood (4-3-0, 1-0-0) outshot Campbell (4-4-0, 0-1-0) 9-6.
According to men’s soccer head coach Jon Atkinson, the team’s “appetite and quality” stood out in the first half.
Campos struck first, sending a free kick to the back of Camel’s net midway through the first half for the go-ahead goal.
The lead lengthened within six minutes of halftime when Pajunurm shot from the center of the box into the right post, putting Longwood ahead 2-0. It marked Pajunurm’s first goal of his career and ultimately the game winner.
Longwood’s backline consistently led by senior captain defender Michael Durr along with senior goalkeeper Carl Carpenter shut out Campbell for 81 minutes.
Campbell freshman forward Seth Jones earned his third goal of the season late in the game off an assist from fellow freshman midfielder Sam Butts.
Carpenter ended his fifth start of the season with five saves, nearly matching his season-high six save effort against Navy on Sept. 11.
“We had to fight all the way to the end having conceded a late goal, but the lads rode it out to get an important conference win on the road,” said Atkinson on the official Longwood athletics website.
Thanks to this win, Longwood begins their 2015 conference campaign in the upper half of the standings. All Big South teams have played their first game, none ending in ties.
“We can sleep better knowing three points are in the bag," said Atkinson on the official Longwood athletics website.
Last year, Longwood ended the regular season one spot above Campbell; both teams lost in the first round of the tournament.
The Lancers will face a non-conference opponent, University of Portland, on Thursday, Oct. 1 at home in Farmville, Virginia beginning at 6 p.m.
