Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team surrendered two goals in the final 21 of the game as the Spartans suffered a 2-1 loss to hosting UNC Asheville Sunday evening at Greenwood Field. The loss is the Spartans' first-ever against the Bulldogs in program history, snapping a 14-game unbeaten streak against UNC Asheville.
The Spartans (1-1-2) controlled play for most of the game, holding a 17-5 edge in shots, including a 10-0 edge in the first half. UNCG also generated 10 first half corner kicks and finished the game with a 13-8 advantage, but couldn't generate finishing touches throughout the game.
The game was tied after the first 45 minutes despite the Spartans' dominant play. The second half saw UNC Asheville come out and start to battle back against UNCG, but the Spartans scored the game's first goal in the 66th minute of action. Sophomore forward Matt Mattis (Little Stoke, England) was hauled down in the box and UNCG was awarded a penalty kick. Senior forward Damieon Thomas (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Georgia Military Institute) stepped up and drilled the ball past UNCA goalkeeper Chris Katt for his first goal of the year.
UNC Asheville (1-5-0) answered right back with a long-range goal in the 69th minute to tie the game. Brendan O'Dowd ripped a perfectly placed ball from 25-yards out past sophomore goalkeeper Jon Milligan (Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando) to the game at 1-1.
The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the 80th minute as they were awarded a penalty kick. Zack Joens stepped up for UNC Asheville and beat Milligan for the 2-1 lead. The Spartans battled in the final 10 minutes but were unable to come up with the game-tying goal.
Milligan suffered his first career loss after posting a 6-0-4 record last year. He finished with three saves in his first action of the season. Katt picked up the win for the Bulldogs, posting five saves as UNC Asheville won for the first time this season.
The Spartans return to action Wednesday night when they travel to Clinton, S.C., for a meeting with Presbyterian at 7 p.m. It marks the final non-conference road game for UNCG and the last before the Spartans begin a three-game home stand Sept. 17.
-- UNCG --
