George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Longwood
Burke's Two Goals Propel Men's Soccer Past Longwood, 4-2
9/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 8, 2010
FARMVILLE, VA - The George Washington men's soccer team took advantage of its chances Wednesday evening, turning four of its five shots on target into goals to earn its first victory of 2010 with a 4-2 triumph at Longwood. Junior defender Mike Burke scored in each half and freshman Jeff Eisenbud netted the game-winner in the 38th minute.
The four goals were the most for GW since a 4-2 victory over Mount St. Mary's last Sept. 26. The Colonials (1-2-0) will face the Mount in their next match this Saturday in Emmitsburg, MD, at 1:00 pm.
After producing just seven shots on goal in 25 attempts in their first two matches of the season, the Colonials came with a more potent attack against the Lancers Wednesday. GW put half of its 10 chances on frame and was rewarded with its highest offensive output in 13 matches.
Burke opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a blast from 40 yards that caromed off the post into net. Just under 14 minutes later in the 25th, sophomore Seth Rudolph linked with classmate Mattia Melillo for a header goal from six yards out to make it 2-0.
Longwood (0-3-0) responded with back-to-back strikes - a 26th-minute penalty kick from Vinnie Llana that just beat GW junior goalkeeper Jake Davis, and a Harvey Headley breakaway goal from Patrick Bain's long service in the 34th.
The wild first half came to a head in the 38th when Eisenbud tucked away a loose ball from a deflected free kick and the Colonials carried their 3-2 lead into halftime. The goal was the first of Eisenbud's collegiate career.
The three first-half goals forced the Lancers to send on goalkeeper Joel Helmick to replace Ben Eanes, but Burke was able to beat Helmick for an insurance tally in the 61st minute. The two goals are a career-high for Burke, whose only other goal was an equalizer that forced overtime in last year's 2-1 loss at eventual national champion Virginia.
Davis made three saves on 13 shots faced to earn his first career victory. The Colonials improved to 3-2-0 in the head-to-head series despite being outshot (13-10) and out-cornered (11-1) by the Lancers, who had a bevy of corner kicks in the opening and closing minutes of the match.
