Greensboro, NC -- The UNC Greensboro women's soccer team exploded for a season high six goals to defeat George Mason University 6-3, Friday evening in front of 383 fans at the UNCG Soccer Stadium. Freshman Nicole Danford scored two goals to lead the Spartans.
The win moves the Spartans' record to 2-1-0 on the young season, while George Mason drops to 0-2-0.
George Mason took an early lead in the 14th minute when Kelly Keelan turned from 30 yards out and caught UNCG goalkeeper Alex Perry off her line, sending the shot into the upper right corner.
Jamie Corti struck back for her second goal of the season and third of her career, connecting on a Kristin Player corner kick to pull the Spartans even at one all. It was the second goal in three games for Corti, and second in this fashion. Player picked up her second assist on the year as she, Danford and Corti lead the Spartans with four points apiece this season.
The Patriots picked up their second goal of the game just three minutes later when Theresa DeLucca connected on a rebound that came off the post and sent her shot into the lower left corner past Perry who was unable to recover, ending the half 2-1 in favor of the Patriots.
UNCG came out firing in the second half. The Spartans, who sent a total of 24 shots, 19 of which were on goal, took 15 in the second half alone.
Katelynn Donovan opened the scoring early, sending an unassisted goal into the lower right corner off an attempted clear. Jenn Partenheimer followed seven minutes later with her first goal of the season, collecting the ball off a defender and sending her shot into the upper left corner to put the Spartans up 3-2.
Kelly Attayek collected a rebound off a Jennifer Bronson shot to notch her second goal of the season in the 62nd minute. Danford then netted the first collegiate goal of her career, sending the ball into the lower right corner from inside the six yard box, giving UNCG a 5-2 advantage.
George Mason would have only one answer for the Spartans' offensive outburst as Keelen Collected a pass from Annie Lebherz for her second goal of the game, putting the ball past a diving Barrie Vogel and into the lower left corner, coming a goal closer at 5-3.
Danford would respond for her second goal of the game, taking a pass from fellow freshman Jaimey Etten and sliding the ball into the lower right corner to end the scoring at 6-3 in favor of UNCG.
UNCG led the Patriots in all aspects of the game, taking a 24-11 advantage on shots as well as benefiting from a 7-0 lead in corner kicks. Perry and Vogel split time in the net for UNCG, picking up a combined five saves. Perry finished the first half with two while Vogel followed in the second half with three.
The Spartans will take to the road for a five week road swing, beginning with a 6 pm match up with Duke on Sunday evening in Durham. Live stats can be found at www.goduke.com.
AGATE
Goals by period 1 2
George Mason 2 1
UNCG 1 5
Shots by period 1 2
George Mason 5 6
UNCG 9 15
Saves by period 1 2
George Mason 5 8
UNCG 2 5
Corner Kicks 1 2
George Mason 0 0
UNCG 5 2
Scoring Summary: Mason Kelly Keelen (unassisted) 13:11, UNCG Jamie Corti (Kristin Player) 31:13, Mason Theresa DeLucca (unassisted) 34:31, UNCG Katelynn Donovan (unassisted) 51:21, UNCG Jenn Partenheimer (unassisted) 58:35, UNCG Kelly Attayek (unassisted) 51:16, UNCG Nicole Danford (unassisted) 63:24, Mason Kelly Keelan (Annie Lebherz, Kelly Thomas), UNCG Nicole Danford (Heather Deutschle, Jaimey Etten) 77:56.
