Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team opened the 2016 season with a 2-0 victory over Jacksonville Friday evening at Southern Oak Stadium. The Spartans scored goals early in both the first and second half while controlling play throughout the game against the home-standing Dolphins.
The game started slowly with the two teams feeling each other out in the opening 10 minutes of play. The Spartans caught the Dolphins on a quick counter attack in the 13th minute of play. Sophomore midfielder Matteo Busio (Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford) won the ball in the center of the field and sent a long through ball behind the Jacksonville defense.
Senior defender Quin Lema (Pembroke, Bermuda/Montverde Academy) ran onto the ball and flicked it over the on-charge Dolphin goalkeeper, Patrick Harding. The ball soared over Harding's hands and floated into the goal with a perfect touch for the 1-0 lead and Lema's first career goal.
After the goal, the Spartans settled in and controlled the possession for most of the first half. UNCG had the next best chance in the 38th minute of play. Sophomore Austin Matthews (New Kent, Va./West Point) made a run down the right-hand side and turned on his defender before sending a cross to the top of the 18-yard box. Sophomore forward Matt Mattis (Little Stoke, England) ripped a one-timed shot on frame, but Harding made a diving, full-extension save to keep it a 1-0 contest.
The Spartans started the second half and came out the aggressors, controlling play in the early part of the half. UNCG was awarded a corner kick in the 52nd minute of play after a dangerous run by Damieon Thomas (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Georgia Military Institute).
Busio took the corner kick and drove a ball into the 18-yard box where sophomore Eric Gunnarsson (Falkenberg, Sweden) flicked it on to the back post. Freshman forward Faisal Almubaslat (Summerfield, N.C./Northern Guilford) pounced on the ball and hammered it into the back of the net for his first career goal in just his first career collegiate game. Almubaslat recently joined the team and was just cleared to play earlier this week.
Jacksonville had its best chance in the 55th minute of play. Alan Morgan found some space at the top of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot on goal. Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde (Cary, N.C./Greensboro College) punch the ball from danger and off the cross bar to keep the Dolphins at bay. Rohde and the cross bar teamed up once again to thwart Morgan in the 69th minute to preserve the shutout. Rohde posted his second straight shutout in a season-opener after blanking Virginia Tech last season in the opener.
UNCG continues its swing through the Sunshine State Sunday evening as it plays reigning Atlantic Sun Conference champion North Florida. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
-- UNCG --
