Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – Cienna Rideout headed in a ball in the 55th minute for the game's lone goal to give UNCG (9-2-1, 4-0-0) a 1-0 win its Southern Conference home opener over Furman (6-6-0, 1-4-0) Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium. Rideout has scored the game-winning goal in three of the four Spartans' SoCon victories (VMI and The Citadel).
"It was a high speed and physical game, but certainly a fair game as well," said head coach Michael Coll. "Furman played well. Our goal was just wonderful, just the whole buildup. The cross was just majestic, and the finish was top-notch. I'm very happy about our performance because we had to earn this win."
UNCG wore pink socks and other pink clothing for its annual Pink Game to raise awareness for breast cancer. Earlier in the day the Spartans volunteered at the Cone Heath Women's Walk in Greensboro.
It was a scoreless back-and-forth game that featured quality scoring chances for both teams before Rideout tallied the lone goal. Following a pass from Isabelle Blomdahl, Marissa Ferrantino made a move past a Furman defender to get into the left corner and delivered a cross into the middle of the box for Rideout's team-leading 10th goal of the year.
The Spartans limited the Paladins to just three shots the rest of the game with only one on goal.
Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper (9-2-1) made six saves in the win for UNCG's sixth shutout of the season.
UNCG finished with a slight edge in shots (14-12), corner kicks (6-4) and shots on goal (8-6).
Rideout had a game-high six shots with four on goal. Grace Regal was the only other Spartan to finish with more shot with her two, both on goal.
UNCG stays home to face Wofford Sunday at 2 p.m.
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