UNCG, Marshall play to 1-1 tie on first day of UNCG Kickoff Classic

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Teams were fit to be tied on the first day of the UNCG Kickoff Classic as Elon and Longwood played to a scoreless tie and UNC Greensboro and Marshall played to a 1-1 tie in men's soccer action Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.

In the first game, Elon (0-2-1) outshot Longwood (1-1-1), 19-10, and had an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks, but neither team could find the back of the net. Clint Irwin had three saves for the Phoenix in logging a shutout. Joel Helmick had five saves for Longwood in notching the Lancers' second straight shutout.

In the nightcap, UNCG (0-2-1) scored first when E.J. O'Keeffe scored off of a perfect corner kick play. Mike Magnotic's ball went into the middle of the box, where the tall O'Keeffe went high in the air to head it just under the crossbar for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead with 21 minutes gone in the match.

Marshall tied it, however, at 55:05. An initial shot Devin Perkins was knocked down by a Spartan defender at the near post. An attempted clear from a crowd in front wound up at the feet of Matt Dickerson, who pounded it home for his second goal of the season.

While UNCG played the last 27 minutes a man down following a red card, both teams had several outstanding opportunities. UNCG's Peyton Ford made a leaping save to the upper 90 on the near side to keep the game tied late in regulation. Marshall's Daniel Withrow had a great save in a one-on-one with UNCG's Jamel Johnson in overtime.

Sunday's action will have Elon facing Marshall at 12 noon, followed by UNCG and Longwood at 2:30 p.m.

AGATE

Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot

Elon................  0  0  0  0 -  0

Longwood............  0  0  0  0 -  0

SCORING SUMMARY: none.

Shots: Elon 19, Longwood 10 Saves: Elon 4 (Clint Irwin 3; TEAM 1), Longwood 5 (Helmick, Joel 5). Corner kicks: Elon 8, Longwood 5. Fouls: Elon 8, Longwood 19.

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Goals by period       1  2 OT O2  Tot

Marshall............  0  1  0  0 -  1

UNC Greensboro......  1  0  0  0 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:

1.  UNCG O'Keeffe (Magnotic), 21:00

2.  MARSHALL Dickerson (unassisted), 55:05

Shots: Marshall 17, UNCG 15 Saves: Marshall 6 (Withrow 6), UNCG 9 (Ford 7; TEAM 2). Corner kicks: Marshall 5, UNCG 10. Fouls: Marshall 13, UNCG 13.

- UNCG -