FARMVILLE, Va. – It took some for the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team to find its groove.
Nearly 56 minutes to be exact.
However, once the 22nd-ranked Spartans heated up, there was nothing Longwood could do.
Resembling a shaken soda can when its opened, UNCG exploded and scored all of its goals after intermission to claim a 3-1 victory over Longwood Tuesday night in a rare late season non-conference affair at the chilly Athletics Complex.
The terrific tandem of
Theo Collomb and
J.C. Ngando led the powerful Spartan attack with a goal and an assist each during a 68-second scoring spree before an astonished gaze of spectators mesmerized by UNCG's breathtaking brilliance.
The Spartans flexed their offensive muscles and demonstrated why they lead the country in goals, points, scoring offense, and goal-differential.
UNCG ignored the inconvenience of a one-goal halftime deficit to win its third consecutive match. It was nice for the Spartans to endure some adversity for one of the few times during this enchanted season.
As the weather gets colder and calendar turns to November, goals become harder to score and defenses begin applying much more pressure and taking control. This experience will serve the Spartans well as they continue moving forward in the season.
Records
UNCG 12-3-1
Longwood 5-9-2
How It Happened
- Collomb tallied his NCAA-leading 15th goal of the season to get the Spartans even in the 56th minute.
- Before highlights of Collomb's goal could be shared on social media, Ngando added a another strike to give the Spartans the lead for good, 2-1, in the 57th minute.
- Joey Skinner added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute to help UNCG earn its 12th victory of its special season.
- Longwood took a 1-0 lead when Tosin Ayokunle scored in the 18th minute.
Inside the Numbers
- This was the 10th time this season UNCG has scored at least three goals in a game.
- The Spartans have scored at least three goals in three straight matches.
- UNCG has scored 49 goals to lead the nation.
- The Spartans have outscored their opponents, 49-12.
- UNCG had 24 shots. The sixth time this season it has had at least 20 shots in a match.
- This is the fourth time in the last five games, UNCG finished with at least 20 shots.
- UNCG improved to 11-1-2 all-time against Longwood.
- The 12 wins are the most for the UNCG men's soccer program since it won 16 in 2006.
- Collomb, who also registered an assist, has scored goals in three consecutive matches.
- Ngando scored his fifth goal of the season and notched his team-leading eighth assist of the season.
- Ngando has recorded an assist in three straight matches.
- Ngando has scored a goal or had an assist in five straight matches.
- Skinner's goal was his fourth of the year.
- Niclas Wild had one save.
- Fernando Garcia contributed an assist on Skinner's goal in the 82nd minute.
Up Next
- UNCG concludes the 2021 regular-season on the road at East Tennessee State on Saturday at 7 p.m. If UNCG wins, it will be outright regular-season Southern Conference champion.
