GREENSBORO, N.C. – Keeper Kelsey Kearney matched the school record with her 25th career shutout and freshman Kristen Schmidbauer had two goals and an assist as No. 21 UNCG topped The Citadel on Friday, 3-0.
The Spartans continued the best start in school history, moving to 10-1-1 overall on the season and 5-0-0 in the Southern Conference. The Citadel fell to 7-5-1 overall and 3-2-0 in the league.
Kearney, a junior, needed just 50 games to reach the milestone. She now shares the record with Jennifer Stillman, who had 25 from 2002-05.
"Congratulations to Kelsey," UNCG coach Eddie Radwanksi said. "That's really a fantastic achievement in her junior year, to tie the shutout record. I think Kelsey would also comment that it was a byproduct of some very good team defending."
The Durham, N.C., native had to make just two saves on the evening, but both were on dangerous scoring chances for the Bulldogs. Her first save came in the 64th minute, when Vanessa Alponte put a free kick on frame from just outside the 18-yard box. Kearney made the stop but couldn't wrap it up, and Mariana Garcia's follow attempt was wide.
Kearney's second save came in the 84th minute, when Garcia came in for a one-on-one. Kearney was again able to make the stop at the corner of the 6-yard box, keeping the historic shutout – her sixth of the season – intact.
Schmidbauer provided all the offense the Spartans would need in the 32nd minute, heading home a Katie Evans free kick for her fourth goal of the season.
With UNCG up 2-0 in the second half, the Woodbine, Md., native notched her second goal of the night, again on a header. Defender Casey Godwin got the play started in the midfield, playing a long ball into the box. Schmidbauer was there to nod it home, making it a 3-0 affair in the 68th minute and giving Schmidbauer her first career multi-goal game.
"Kristen was very good today," Radwanski said. "Kristen's such a smart soccer player and was able to create some things."
Schmidbauer had a hand in all three goals, as she assisted on senior Jenn Partenheimer's strike in the 60th minute. Schmidbauer got the ball about 20 yards out near the corner of the 18 and played a ball to Partenheimer at the top of the box. Partenheimer put it away top shelf for her career-high fifth goal of the season.
UNCG had a 28-6 advantage in shots on the evening, putting 13 of them on-frame. The Spartans also had 10 corner kicks to the Bulldogs' one.
Kearney's counterpart, Whitney Nave, made 10 saves in her first start of the season.
With the win, UNCG improved to 10-0-0 against The Citadel all-time.
The Spartans return to action Sunday when they host College of Charleston at 1 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium. Admission is free.
AGATE
UNCG 3, The Citadel 0
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
The Citadel......... 0 0 - 0
UNCG................ 1 2 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 31:29 UNCG Kristen Schmidbauer (4) (Katie Evans)
2. 59:46 UNCG Jenn Partenheimer (5) (Kristen Schmidbauer)
3. 67:49 UNCG Kristen Schmidbauer (5) (Casey Godwin)
Shots: The Citadel 6, UNCG 28
Saves: The Citadel 10 (Whitney Nave 10), UNCG 2 (Kelsey Kearney 2)
Corner kicks: The Citadel 1, UNCG 10
Fouls: The Citadel 4, UNCG 13
- UNCG -
