Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss Friday to visiting James Madison at the UNCG Soccer Stadium, the Spartans' third one-goal game of the season. James Madison scored the game's lone goal in the 78th minute of action and held off UNCG for the victory.
“I don't think it was a good 90 minutes by either team tonight,” head coach Justin Maullin said. “The pace of the game was poor and we didn't create as many chances that we have been creating so far this season. Prior to this game, I was real optimistic with the way we were playing, despite not getting a result, but I think tonight we took two steps back. We have to regroup and we will change some things going forward.”
The Spartans came into the game averaging 19 shots per game this season and were only able to post seven shots in the 90 minutes of action in the slow-paced contest. UNCG had its best chance in the early going in the 13th minute as freshman Tommi Gardarsson (Reykjavik, Iceland/Commercial College of Iceland) sent a cross into the box where classmate Moises Gonzales (Bailey, N.C./Southern Nash) got he head on the ball, but pushed it just over the cross bar.
UNCG generated another strong chance in the 37th minute of action as junior Jacques Francois (Port Au Prince, Haiti/Louisburg College) got the ball at the top of the 18-yard box. Francois dribbled through three JMU defenders and found a little space before ripping a shot that glanced off the defender and sailed just outside the post.
James Madison had its best chance early in the second half in the 48th minute of action as the Dukes sent a long cross into the box. Josh Grant was in some space and ripped a header off the cross bar to keep the game tied at 1-1.
The teams traded half chances for most of the second half until James Madison scored the game's lone goal in the 78th minute of play. Francisco Narbon sent a long ball down the left-hand side where Joe Vyner was able to bring it down. Vyner took a step from 25-yards out and ripped a bending shot past the out-stretched arms of goalkeeper Davis Griffin (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road) and into the side netting for the game-winning tally.
“Charlotte coming in is one of the most mentally tough and physically fit teams we will face this year,” Maullin said. “It will be a mental battle between the teams Tuesday night. We will change the way we play and if we are successful Tuesday, we will continue to do those things going forward.”
The Spartans return to action Tuesday night as they host No. 21 Charlotte in a non-conference rivalry. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium and admission is FREE!
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