Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's soccer team is showing a knack for the dramatic this week. For the second time in four days the Spartans scored a game-winning goal in the final minute of play, this time as junior defender Eric Gunnarsson (Falkenberg, Sweden) scored with 20.7 seconds left in double overtime to lift the Spartans to a 1-0 victory over visiting Campbell Saturday night at the UNCG Soccer Stadium. The Spartans took home the victory by scoring in the 110th minute of play on their 20th shot of the night to improve to 3-1-2 on the year.
The game-winning play started with the Camels being called for their 28th foul of the night in the last minute of double overtime. Sophomore midfielder Leeroy Maguraushe (Milton Keynes, England/Stantonbury) sent the ball to the back post where senior Damieon Thomas (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Georgia Military Institute) volleyed it on goal and past goalkeeper Matt Mozynski.
A Campbell defender was able to clear the initial shot off the goal line, but the rebound came out right in front and Gunnarsson buried the shot from 5-yards out to send the Spartans into a frenzy. The goal was his first of the season and his first since his freshman campaign. It ignited a celebration for UNCG, which won Wednesday night with 38.8 seconds remaining in the second half at Presbyterian.
The Spartans out-shot Campbell by a 20-8 margin, including a 6-1 edge in the second overtime period as they were playing for the win. UNCG had the best chances in the second overtime, including a pair by freshman defender Casey Penland (High Point, N.C./High Point Christian). Penland had an opportune chance in the 104th minute off another free kick from Maguraushe but his header was somehow saved by Mozynski to prolong the drama.
Mozynski was the difference maker for Campbell (1-3-0) on the night, finishing with eight saves in 109:40 of play, some of them acrobatic and impressive. He stopped sophomore forward Alexander Lewis (Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson) in the 85th minute from a sharp angle on a ball that was ticketed for the top corner. He made another key save off of Penland in the 77th minute after a corner kick and somehow kept Thomas from scoring in the 89th minute of play to keep the Camels alive.
UNCG senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde (Cary, N.C./Greensboro College) posted his second shutout of the year and improved to 3-0-2 on the season by posting two saves. Rohde's biggest play came in the first overtime when he challenged Pepe Rangel and forced a rushed shot that sailed over the cross bar after Rangel got behind the UNCG defense.
The Spartans, which entered the game ranked 14th in the nation in shots per game at 16.40, had 10 different players register a shot on the night. Penland was the catalyst with six shots of his own while sophomore midfielder Matteo Busio (Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford) added three shots.
The Spartans will continue their three-game home stretch to end non-conference play Tuesday night when they host Coastal Carolina. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium and will be Close the Caf night at UNCG for all students.
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