SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Three different UNCG players scored in the first 11 minutes of play and keeper Kelsey Kearney set a school record with her 26th career shutout as the 20th-ranked Spartans cruised past Wofford on Friday, 3-0.
With its ninth win in a row, UNCG improved to 12-1-1 on the year, including a 7-0-0 mark in Southern Conference play. Wofford fell to 5-5-4, 0-3-4 in the SoCon. The Spartans' nine-game winning streak is three shy of the school record set in 2007.
Kearney had to make just two saves for her seventh shutout of the season. The junior from Durham, N.C., moved into sole possession of first place on UNCG's career list, surpassing Jennifer Stillman, who had 25 shutouts from 2002-05. Kearney also took over sole possession of fourth place in SoCon history.
"It's a fantastic achievement for Kelsey, setting that record for herself in the course of her junior year," UNCG coach Eddie Radwanski said. "We're happy for her and hopefully she'll continue to build upon it."
The match got off to a wild start, with sophomore Lauren Hein scoring just 1:56 into the contest. Cat Barnekow, who entered the match leading the SoCon in assists, played a cross into the box that Hein headed past Wofford keeper Katie McChesney. Freshman Stine Schoening also picked up an assist on the play.
The Spartans made it a 2-0 game in a matter of minutes, as Jaimey Etten notched her third goal of the season in the seventh minute. Etten took a corner kick that bounced around and back to her, and she buried it to make it a two-score game.
The early offensive onslaught continued as Jenn Partenheimer scored her career-best sixth goal of the season to make it 3-0 game just 10:56 in. Partenheimer took a shot that McChesney saved but couldn't wrap up, and Partenheimer put away the rebound.
Kearney and the UNCG defense did the rest, holding the Terriers to just six shots in the contest. The Spartans took 17.
"The team got off to an excellent start today," Radwanski said. "We jumped on the opponent and never really let up. Constructively, we should have been a little bit more clinical with our finishing as the game went on, but sometimes the game goes like that. Whenever you get a win on the road, it's a good win. To jump on a team early like we did today was a great way to start the game."
Wofford's lone shot in the first half came off the foot of Nikki Siebert in the 15th minute, but Kearney was there to make the save.
Sydney Reed had the Terriers' only other shot on frame, but Kearney made the save in the 80th minute to keep the shutout intact.
Hein led UNCG with five shots on the evening, while Reed had three to lead Wofford.
Kimberly Cohn relieved McChesney to start the second half, making three saves and not allowing a goal in 45 minutes. McChesney made three saves of her own but took the loss by allowing the three first-half goals.
Kearney's milestone further cemented her place in UNCG lore, as she is already the school's – as well the SoCon's – career leader in goals against average. With a 0.58 mark this season, she has lowered her career GAA to 0.63.
The Spartans will try to run their winning streak to 10 games Sunday at Furman. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.
AGATE
UNCG 3, Wofford 0
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
UNCG................ 3 0 - 3
Wofford............. 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 1:56 UNCG Lauren Hein (4) (Cat Barnekow;Stine Schoening)
2. 6:22 UNCG Jaimey Etten (3) (unassisted)
3. 10:56 UNCG Jenn Partenheimer (6) (unassisted)
Shots: UNCG 17, Wofford 6
Saves: UNCG 2 (Kelsey Kearney 2), Wofford 6 (Kimberly Cohn 3; Katie McChesney 3)
Corner kicks: UNCG 7, Wofford 0
Fouls: UNCG 8, Wofford 11
- UNCG -
