Box Score
Sophomore Randi Patterson |
GREENSBORO, NC – The UNC Greensboro men's soccer team (2-0) used goals by senior James Goodman and sophomore Randi Patterson in defeating #22-ranked Clemson, 2-0, Saturday evening at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
This marked the first win for the Spartans over the Tigers since Sept. 2, 1990, when UNCG defeated Clemson, 2-1 in Clemson.
After Clemson's Phil Marfuggi was whistled for a foul inside the box and issued a caution, Goodman rocketed his penalty shot past the Tiger goalkeeper to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The goal for Goodman was his first of the season, and the 18th of his career.
Patterson scored his goal at 73:09, when he broke away from two Clemson defenders and slid a shot in the lower left hand portion of the net. The goal for Patterson, which was the third on the season, was assisted by Phil Long.
Junior keeper Jay Benfield stopped five Tiger shots, including a penalty kick in the first half, to record the fourth shutout of his career. Clemson (1-1) netminder Marfuggi recorded five saves on the evening.
"It was a big win for us because of the way we won it," said head coach Michael Parker. "We stuck to our task, particularly defensively. I feel that toward the end of the game we frustrated them."
The 2-0 start for the Spartans is the best since the 1996 season. That season, UNCG rattled of 14 straight victories to begin the season.
UNCG returns to action next weekend for the Davidson/adidas Classic in Davidson, NC. The Spartans will take on UAB, Friday Sept.10 at 5 p.m, then will face Vanderbilt on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 pm.
