Junior midfielder Finnlay Wyatt kept Longwood (8-7-1, 3-3-1) in the game with two equalizers allowing redshirt freshman forward Willy Miezan to deal the final blow against UNC Asheville (5-10-1, 2-5-0) in a 3-2 home win at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.
"I've been generating lots of shots by myself, but nothing before today has gone in for me," said Wyatt, who is second in the conference for shots per game, on the Longwood athletics official website. "It's been a little frustrating at times for me personally, but we've been playing well as a team and were able to get the win today which is most important."
UNC Asheville senior midfielder Emil Gonsalvez put the visitors up 15 minutes into the match, assisted by Grady Bradshaw. Bradshaw later regained Asheville’s lead with a goal of his own ten minutes before the first half ended.
Despite Wyatt’s first equalizer negating Gonsalvez’s goal, Longwood entered the second half down 2-1.
His second equalizer came in the 52nd minute, off a free kick from junior midfielder Dan Campos. Including this game, Wyatt has recorded three goals this season.
"Finnlay is a difference maker, he's a quality player for us," Atkinson said. "He has the capability to turn any game. His commitment to us and everything I ask of him, I couldn't ask for a better player."
With the game tied 2-2, senior midfielder Will Lambert connected with Miezan for the game winner, a shot drilled low into the net.
"It was a must-win for us to consolidate a tournament run and get as high in the rankings as possible," said Longwood head coach Jon Atkinson on the Longwood athletics official website. "I'm delighted to get the win, but we made it difficult work. I'm glad we had the belief and execution to come out on top today."
Ultimately, the score reflected the shot count as Longwood out shot Asheville 21-3, 8-2 on goal. Asheville redshirt senior goalkeeper Zak Davis was forced to make five saves, while Longwood junior goalkeeper Carlos Canas made none.
Asheville scored both of their shots on goal, having only three shots total.
For Miezan, his game-winner brought him even closer to holding the Longwood record for most goals in a single season during his Division I debut year. He currently has 11 goals putting him within two of fifth place.
Miezan is second in the Big South for goals scored, two behind Campbell’s Bradley Farias, and seventh in the nation for points per game.
With the win, Longwood remains at the No. 5 spot, Asheville at No. 9.
Men’s soccer travels to play No. 7 Gardner-Webb (4-12-0, 3-5-0) on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.
A win would give Longwood the potential to usurp High Point’s place in the top four as the regular season winds down.
"The win allows us to take some confidence with us to Gardner-Webb," Atkinson said on the Longwood athletics official website. "We've played two complete games before today and a solid half today. We have a couple areas we can work on to improve before traveling to Gardner-Webb."
Longwood men's soccer remains No. 5 following a strong performance from Wyatt and redshirt freshman forward Willy Miezan allowing Longwood to take another home win.
