UNCG-Mercer Box Score
Egill Atlason scored the game's only goal 14 seconds into the second half |
GREENSBORO, NC – Egill Atlason's second goal of the season came just 14 seconds into the second half and it was enough to lift second-ranked UNC Greensboro to a 1-0 win over Mercer in men's soccer action at the UNCG adidas Classic on Sunday.
The win may vault the Spartans into the No. 1 ranking for the first time as an NCAA Division I program. UNCG has been ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll for the last four weeks. Last week, UNCG was also No. 2 in the Soccer Times poll and was in the Top 5 in all four major polls.
Last night, consensus No. 1-ranked UC-Santa Barbara lost at Cal State-Northridge, 3-1, to lose its grip on the top spot. The four major Division I men's soccer polls are released on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
UNCG has been ranked No. 1 as a member of NCAA Divisions II and III. The Spartans have won five national titles in the sport of men's soccer, three under UNCG coach Michael Parker. However, they were all at the Division III level during the 1980's.
“Whatever ranking they give us on Tuesday, at this stage of the season, it means something, “said Parker, who is in his 21st season at UNCG and 28th season as a head coach overall. “It means we are a good team, and we are.
“It wasn't our best effort this season,” said Parker, “but I had a pretty good idea that would happen. We had a very hard game on Friday night against an excellent Coastal Carolina team. We put a lot into that game. Our legs were not there today, but it was enough for the win.”
On Sunday, the Spartans (12-0-1) won a physical match up over Mercer (7-5-0), which is ranked in the NSCAA's South Regional Rankings. After a first half that saw UNCG outshoot Mercer, 3-0, the Spartans struck quickly. Off of the opening kickoff, UNCG weaved the ball down field quickly. Mike Richardson found Randi Patterson, who passed to Atlason and banged the ball into the left side of the net for what would be the game's only goal.
Martin Walker had seven saves in goal for Mercer, keeping the Bears close throughout. Jay Benfield had one save for UNCG to record his second solo shutout and fourth overall of the season.
UNCG's 12-0-1 start is its best since 1996, when the Spartans began the season 14-0-0 before losing to Florida International on the second day of UNCG's tournament. UNCG finished that season 21-2-0, losing to Notre Dame, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UNCG will host Wofford in a Southern Conference match-up on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. A win would likely assure the Spartans of a home game in the quarterfinal round of the SoCon Tournament.
AGATE
Mercer....................... 0 0 - 0
UNC Greensboro...... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY: UNCG - Egill Atlason (Randi Patterson; Mike Richardson) 45:14. Shots: Mercer 5, UNCG 14
Saves: Mercer 7 (Martin Walker 7), UNCG 1 (Jay Benfield 1). Corner Kicks: UNCG 5, Mercer 4. Fouls: Mercer 13, UNCG 14. Offsides: UNCG 4, Mercer 0.
2004 UNCG/adidas Classic All-Tournament Team
Omar Liendo, D Mercer
Mark McKeever, F Mercer
Phil Long, MF UNCG
Pat Farrell, D UNCG
Randi Patterson, F UNCG
Jeff Lochrie, MF UNCG
Boyzz Khumalo, MF Coastal Carolina
Mubarike Chisoni, MF Coastal Carolina
Joey Bass, D Davidson
Mac Wilkie, F Davidson
Ben Kittinger, MF Davidson
Offensive MVP: Phil Long, UNCG
Defensive MVP: Pat Farrell, UNCG
