CHARLESTON, S.C. - Freshman Lauren Hein scored both UNC Greensboro goals, including the game-winner in the 83rd minute just 52 seconds after The Citadel had tied it, as the Spartans took a 2-1 Southern Conference win over the Bulldogs on Sunday. UNCG locked up a spot in the four-team SoCon tournament with the win.
The Citadel's Nicole Martinoli scored on a penalty kick to tie the game at 1 at the 81:13 mark, but Hein countered with an open-net header off a Nicole Danford pass to put UNCG back ahead for good less than a minute later.
The win, coupled with College of Charleston's loss to Elon on Sunday, put the Spartans (12-6, 8-2 SoCon) in sole possession of the top spot in the league standings heading into Thursday's regular-season finale against Elon. With a win over the Phoenix, the Spartans would lock up the top seed in the SoCon tournament and their fourth straight regular-season league title. Sunday's win made the Spartans the first team to secure a berth in the tournament.
After a scoreless first half that saw UNCG outshoot The Citadel (5-11-2, 2-6-2 SoCon) 8-4, Hein scored in the 64th minute to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Jaimey Etten and Jen Rincon earned assists on the play, as Etten played the ball to Rincon, who passed it to Hein for the shot.
The game was the second multi-goal contest for Hein in her young career. She also had two goals, as well as an assist, in UNCG's 4-0 win over High Point on Sept. 17.
UNCG keeper Kelsey Kearney made three saves in picking up the win, while her counterpart, Whitney Nave, stopped seven shots for The Citadel.
UNCG held a 21-12 shot advantage in the contest, and had six corner kicks to the Bulldogs' three.
Hein led the Spartans with six shots, while classmate Tabitha Padgett took five and junior Jenn Partenheimer had four.
Martinoli and Amy Loughran paced the Bulldogs with four shots each.
The Spartans played spoiler on The Citadel's Senior Day, as the Bulldogs honored Kristine Devine, Nikki Mares and Dianna Martin on Sunday.
UNCG remained undefeated against the Bulldogs, but the one-goal margin was the closest ever in the nine-match series history between the two squads, surpassing a 2-0 UNCG win in 2002. The Citadel's goal was its first against the Spartans since 2005.
UNCG will host Elon (12-4-2, 7-2-1 SoCon) at 7 p.m. Thursday in the regular-season finale for both squads.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro (12-6, 8-2 SoCon) vs. Citadel (5-11-2, 2-6-2 SoCon)
Date: Oct 25, 2009 Attendance: 75
Weather: Clear skies, high 75
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
UNC Greensboro 0 2 2
Citadel 0 1 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 63:38 UNCG Lauren Hein (Jaimey Etten,Jen Rincon)
2 81:13 CIT Nicole Martinoli Penalty kick
3 82:05 UNCG Lauren Hein (Nicole Danford)
Shots: UNC Greensboro 21, Citadel 12
Saves: UNC Greensboro 3 (Kelsey Kearney 3), Citadel 7 (Whitney Nave 7)
Corner kicks: UNC Greensboro 6, Citadel 3
Fouls: UNC Greensboro 16, Citadel 7
- UNCG -
