HIGH POINT, N.C. - The Longwood University men’s soccer team dropped a 5-1 decision to Big South Conference opponent High Point University (6-0) on Saturday evening. The Lancers (2-5) were led by sophomore Anthony Ugorji|Washington D.C. (Archbishop Carroll), who posted the team’s lone goal in the match. Longwood returns to action on Tuesday, September 18, when the squad travels to Richmond for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

“This wasn’t our best day at the office,” said head coach Jon Atkinson. “After a solid start, our play deteriorated and didn’t come to terms with the extra pace of play on a faster surface. I give credit to High Point. They have plenty of talent and will do well this year. I think our players will be disappointed with some of their decision making out there and will have to be corrected in time for Richmond.”

The squads battled back and forth through over 18 minutes of scoreless action until Sam Yadley|Fairfax Station (Robinson) dribbled down the left side and dished a cross to Ugorji near the right post for the shot and goal, putting the Lancers up, 1-0.

High Point retaliated with two goals before the first half expired. Shane Malcolm collected the ball and fired a shot from 15-yards out to knot the game at 1-1 in the 26th minute, before teammate Todd Ray lobbed a long pass into the right side of the box where Erien Campbell was able to score on a header to give the Panthers a slim, 2-1 lead that they would carry into the break.

The Panthers added three goals in the second half to seal the victory. Just over twenty seconds into the half, Leon Carby finished from five yards out after the ball was headed towards the goal, giving HPU a 3-1 advantage. In the 53rd minute, High Point was awarded a free kick and Shawn Sloan converted on the opportunity to extend the team’s lead. Mamadee Nyepon followed with a goal off a header from 10 yards out in the 58th minute to give the Panthers a 5-1 lead and the eventual victory.

Five different Lancers tallied one shot apiece in the outing. Ugorji, senior Devin Pierce|Virginia Beach (Ocean Lakes), junior Jared Windt|Haymarket (Battlefield), sophomore Daena Bodie|Guernsey, England (St. Sampson’s Secondary) and freshman Christian Keilty|Spotsylvania (Riverbend) each registered a shot on the night. Shawn Sloan posted a game-high five shots for the Panthers. Freshman Carl Carpenter|Charlottesville (St. Anne’s Belfield) made six saves in the complete-game performance for LU.

High Point registered 23 shots in the outing, compared to five for Longwood. HPU also had more corner kicks, 7-1. Saturday’s match marked the 11th meeting between the Lancers and the Panthers. The all-time series is now tied, 5-5-1.