Men's Soccer 10/2/2006 8:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Richardson's second-half pair lifts Spartans past Wofford, 3-1

Box Score

GREENSBORO, NC Mike Richardson scored twice in a span of 5:23 to end the threat of an upset and lift UNC Greensboro to a 3-1 win over Wofford in Southern Conference men's soccer action Tuesday night.

The Terriers (2-9-1, 0-3-0), who have now lost all 12 meetings against the Spartans, had upset on their minds after Phil Beane sent a floater into the goal from 35 yards out to tie the score at 30:39. It was Beane's first goal of the season and changed the momentum. Prior to that, UNCG had dominated the action, scoring just 13 seconds into the contest and having several other phenomenal chances after that.

The Spartans ( 8-4-1, 3-0-1), who have won four straight and are unbeaten in their last five, got on the board before the fans could take their seats. The opening kickoff was played by UNCG down the left side. Matt Mulvena eventually got control on the left side of the box and played it to the front of the goal. Michael FitzGerald was sliding through and one-timed into the net for incredibly quick 1-0 lead.

But Wofford goalkeeper Russ Sandifer was magnificent, recording 13 saves on the night with several stops 1-on-1 with UNCG players. Sandifer stopped All-American Randi Patterson at least twice in 1-on-1 situations. As time ticked away and Sandifer made save after save, Wofford's confidence seemed to be getting stronger.

Richardson, however, finally broke through for UNCG in the 62nd minute. Travis Young controlled the ball at the top of the box and played it to Henning Jonasson, who dumped it out to the left side of the box for a waiting Richardson. Richardson weaved his way through three Wofford defenders and hit a blast into the net from 10 yards out to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead at 61:14.

Richardson, who now has 16 points this season after recording just 11 points the last years, notched his fifth goal of the year at 66:37. After a turnover, Richardson made a run towards the top of the box. He hit a blast from 20 yards out that Sandifer got a hand on as he dove to his right, but could not control it and it wound up just inside the post.

Richardson's 16 points this season (5g, 6a) equals his career total entering this season.

UNCG now has a three-point lead in the SoCon standings as Elon tied Appalachian State in Boone, NC on Tuesday, 1-1. The Phoenix (2-1-1) have seven points, followed by College of Charleston with six (2-0-0). The Spartans return to action when they host Appalachian State on Saturday night at 7 pm.

AGATE

Wofford............. 1 0 - 1

UNC Greensboro...... 1 2 - 3

SCORING SUMMARY: UNCG FitzGerald (Mulvena), 0:13; WOF Beene (Mabry), 30:39; UNCG Richardson (Young, Jonasson) 61:14; UNCG

Richardson (unassisted). 66:37. Shots: Wofford 10, UNC Greensboro 21. Saves: Wofford 13 (Sandifer 13), UNC Greensboro 5 (Janda 3, TEAM 2). Corner Kicks: Wofford 2, UNC Greensboro 4. Fouls: Wofford 15, UNC Greensboro 13.