Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team notched its second straight shutout and moved within two points of first place in the Southern Conference Wednesday night as the Spartans posted a 3-0 victory over league foe VMI at the UNCG Soccer Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night on the road but was moved due to inclement weather and field conditions.
The Spartans held a commanding 18-5 edge in shots and a 14-2 advantage in corner kicks in the game they controlled from start to finish. Junior forward Jacques Francois (Port Au Prince, Haiti/Louisburg College) led the way with five shots on the night as he was dangerous with every touch, finishing with a pair of assists. The victory improves the Spartans to 3-1-1 in SoCon play, good for 10 total points, trailing Wofford and Mercer, which is tied with 12 points apiece.
The Spartans struck first, capitalizing on their initial dangerous attempt in the 28th minute of action. UNCG had possession in the VMI end with a long throw-in and the initial attempt was cleared out. The Spartans sent the ball back into the box where Francois was able to possess the ball with a Keydet defender on his back. Francois dropped the ball back to the top of the 18-yard box where freshman defender Eric Gunnarsson (Falkenberg, Sweden) ripped his first touch past VMI goalkeeper Alex Guerra for his first career goal and the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans quickly took a 2-0 lead, finding the back of the net just under three minutes later in the 31st minute of play. Junior forward Dustin Gamradt (Kiel, Germany/Hebbleschule) gained possession of the ball 40-yards out and flicked a ball over the backline of the Keydets. Senior forward Austin Miller (High Point, N.C./High Point Central) ran behind the defense and had a perfect first touch that sprung him on a breakaway. He quickly poked the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper for his third goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans had two goals called back early in the second half on offside calls, before having a flurry of chances in the 72nd minute of action. Francois beat his defender and was able to turn on the end line before ripping a shot on goal that Guerra saved. The rebound came out in front where junior midfielder Lukas Zarges (Freidrichsdorf, Germany/Hebbleschule) beat his defender to the ball. Zarges' shot from six-yards out was also saved by Guerra and the ball came out to the top of the 18-yard box where sophomore Nicholas Downs (Great Falls, Mont./Charles M. Russell) sent a bending shot that just went over the cross bar.
The Spartans had another chance in the 78th minute of action as Francois and sophomore Christopher Reingen (Dusseldorf, Germany/Univ. of Dusseldorf) combined just outside the 18-yard box. Francois took the pass in space and sent a through ball into sophomore Chandler Chappell (Hamptonville, N.C./Starmount). Chappell was in alone against Guerra who was able to get enough of the ball to keep it out of the back of the net.
UNCG wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute of playas again Francois was in the mix. He made a run down the left-hand side of the box and ripped a shot that Guerra was able to block back into play. Freshman Neico Regent (Clarendon, Jamaica/American Heritage) pounced on the rebound and rifled a shot from 15-yards out into the back of the net for his first career collegiate goal.
Freshman goalkeeper William Pyle (Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell) posted his second straight shutout and third of the season Wednesday. Guerra picked up the loss for the Keydets despite making nine saves as VMI fell to 0-5-0 in league action.
The Spartans continue their three-game home stand Saturday night as they host SoCon newcomer Mercer. The game begins the Spartans' second swing through the league as each team will play a home-and-home series this year. Game time Saturday is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
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