SPARTANBURG, SC Hermann Award candidate Randi Patterson scored twice to surpass the 100 career point mark and Henning Jonason added a goal as UNC Greensboro dominated Wofford, 3-0, in men's soccer action to claim at least a share of the Southern Conference Men's Soccer Championship.
The Spartans extended their Southern Conference regular season unbeaten string to 13 consecutive matches dating back to
October 14, 2003. It is the fourth time UNCG has claimed at least a share of the SoCon men's soccer title since joining the league in 1997. The Spartans previously won titles in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
With one match still remaining, UNCG (12-4-0, 5-0-0) clinched at least a share with Davidson (12-5-1, 5-1-0). The Spartans will travel to Elon on Wednesday night at 7 pm needing only a tie to win the title outright. Elon (7-8-2, 3-2-1) lost at College of Charleston, 2-0, on Saturday night. Davidson defeated Georgia Southern, 2-1, Saturday afternoon to complete its SoCon slate.
Patterson, a junior from Hackensack, NJ, got the scoring started quickly. After a corner kick, he gathered a loose ball in the box and blasted it into the net for his 12th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead at the 2:02 mark.
Jonason made it 2-0 at 13:28. The freshman from Iceland scored on a blast from 35 yards out on the right side. It was his fourth goal of the season.
Patterson added an insurance goal early in the second half to put the game out of reach. After a pass from Thomas Campbell, Patterson beat the Wofford keeper one-on-one for his 13th goal of the season and the 43rd of his career. It also gave him 101 points for his career, making him the 13th Spartan to achieve the century mark. He has 43 goals and 15 assists in 59 career matches.
The Spartans rested several starters the rest of the way. Patterson and Jokull Elisabetharson were the first to come out with more than 30 minutes to play, and UNCG continued to insert reserves from there.
Jay Benfield and Chad Dickerson shared the shutout. Benfield recorded two saves in his 78:47 of action. UNCG, ranked as high as No. 10 in the country this week, outshot Wofford, 29-5, for the game. The Spartans, who may see Wofford (5-10-2, 1-6-0) again in the first round of the SoCon Tournament next weekend, have only allowed two goals in their last seven contests.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro...... 2 1 - 3
Wofford.... ................ 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY: UNCG - Patterson (unassisted), 2:02; UNCG - Jonason (unassisted), 13:28; UNCG - Patterson (Campbell), 47:58. Shots: UNC Greensboro 29, Wofford 5. Saves: UNC Greensboro 2 (Benfield 2), Wofford 12 (Taylor 12). Corner kicks: UNC Greensboro 9, Wofford 3. Fouls: UNC Greensboro 12, Wofford 23.
UNCG
