#5 Longwood Upsets #1 High Point, 3-1, For Trip to Big South Championship Final
By Longwood Athletics
HIGH POINT, N.C. - A Longwood men's soccer season filled with resiliency added another chapter on Sunday night at Vert Stadium
In the precarious spot, trailing regular-season champion Hight Point, 1-0, midway through the first half, the Lancers (10-7-1) responded six minutes later and then scored twice in the game's final 16 minutes to pick up a 3-1 win and advance to the Big South Championship for the second time, nearly 10 years to the day of the program's first semifinal win.
It was another remarkable achievement for the Blue and White given the Panthers were unbeaten in Big South play, had not lost a home match at Vert Stadium since 2024, and had advanced to each of the last seven league title games. The win was Longwood's 10th of the season, the most since 2011, and its school-record seventh on the road, which also leads the country. Each of the Lancers' first three road wins this season came in come-from-behind fashion, including rallying from a two-goal deficit in the opener at William & Mary back in August.
"We came into this game with something to prove, and I felt like we did that," head coach Paul Gilbert said. "We have talked all year about being relentless and staying together in difficult moments. I thought we did that today. Incredibly happy with the result."
Offensive maestro Brando Bedolla once against led the way, assisting on all three Lancer goals, while graduate student goalkeeper Nicolas Pucci turned in arguably his best performance of the season between the pipes with eight saves.
After Big South Offensive Player of the Year Daniel Lugo gave the home team a 1-0 lead with a 22nd-minute header, the Lancers equalized just six minutes later. A pin-point service from Bedolla off a Longwood set piece found the head of junior Mamadou Seck to knot the contest. It was Seck's first career marker.
Pucci made half of his saves in the opening 18 minutes to keep Longwood within striking distance.
In the 74th minute, the Lancers executed a counterattack with the precision of a finely tuned watch for what proved to be the game winner. Bedolla played a perfectly weighted ball behind the defense, allowing freshman Vicent Martinez to run on it. With immense composure, Martinez touched over the outstretched leg of rushing Big South Goalkeeper of the Year Josh Caron and into the goal, giving Longwood the 2-1 lead.
It was Martinez's fourth goal of the season, all of which have been game winners, including each of the Big South Tournament matches.
Pucci made a key save in the 82nd minute, pushing a deflected shot over the frame, and then another in the 84th minute to preserve the lead. His eight saves equaled a season high.
With High Point (10-4-4) pushing for the equalizer, including all 11 players in the attacking half, the Lancers put the game on ice in the final minute with the counterattack. Bedolla collected a loose ball and sent sophomore Youssef Shafei free down the right side of the field. He had no one to beat and finished, igniting a Longwood celebration with just nine seconds remaining. It was Shafei's seventh goal of the season, fourth in the last six games, and second in as many Big South Tournament contests.
Bedolla's three assists brought his season total to 19. It is not only a school record but marks the most in the country since 2022 and the Big South since 1993. In the Lancers' two Big South Tournament matches, Bedolla has factored in all seven goals with six assists to go along with a tally of his own.
"One more game to go to get to our ultimate goal, but we will celebrate this accomplishment tonight," Gilbert said. "I'm excited for another week of prep with this staff and these young men."
Longwood last played in the Big South Championship match when it knocked off High Point, 1-0, at Vert Stadium in the semifinals on Nov. 9, 2016. The Lancers travel to Gardner-Webb for the 2026 title match on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Scoring Summary
22' | High Point – Daniel Lugo (Alfred Baafi)
28' | Longwood - Mamadou Seck (Brando Bedolla)
74' | Longwood – Vicent Martinez (Bedolla)
90' | Longwood – Youssef Shafei (Bedolla)