GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team picked up a point in Southern Conference (SoCon) standings with a 1-1 double overtime tie against Mercer University Friday night.
The Spartans' lone goal came from sophomore
Caroline Woods, who scored her second goal in two games at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
From Woods on scoring two goals in two games
"I didn't score at home my freshman year and being able to score at home in front of my family and Spartan fans is one of the most exciting things. Being able to score at home in big moments is even more important, not just for me but for the team. I do it for the team, I don't do it for myself. I put my body in front of the ball and I just want to give everything I can to the team."
Tables are turning
"Every day at practice we wake up at 6:30 a.m. to come out for 7:30 a.m. practice. We all have the mentality that it starts today, it starts at the beginning of the week. We build off every practice and we build off every single game and at the beginning of the season, it was rough. We weren't getting the results we wanted, but when we got that one result we wanted, we started to build off, and everyone started to build off of each other, which I thought was super positive. And we are continuing to do that."
Records
UNCG: 2-4-6, 1-1-2 SoCon
Mercer: 5-4-2, 2-1-2 SoCon
How it Happened:
- 61:04 – The Spartans played the ball forward and senior Gracie Timbario back-heeled the ball to Woods just inside the 18-yard box while battling a defender. Woods then sent a one-touch to the upper left 90 for a 1-0 lead.
- 67:28 – Mercer tied the game with a left-footed strike from Lana Whitfield right inside of the 18-yard box after she dribbled around a defender.
By the Numbers
- Senior goalkeeper Aiyanah Tyler-Cooper recorded six saves.
- This is the Spartans' sixth overtime game of the season, fifth double overtime contest.
- Woods netted her second goal of the season, while Timbario tallied her second helper of the season.
- UNCG leads the series against Mercer 7-2-2.
From the Coaches' Box/Michael Coll, Head Women's Soccer Coach
On the Game
"It was a fair result. They had chances, we had chances."
On the Spartans' production
"Sixth overtime tie this season. We just have to get more committed in the other teams' 18-yard box and we've got to take more shots from outside the box because it is tough to play through intricate connections. We have to get more players to take shots from 20- , 25- yards away and hit it on frame. Especially on a night like tonight when the ground is slick and wet, so skip it in front of the goalkeeper."
On Woods' production the last two games
"She is looking like her old self the last two games. She is playing much more free and confident. She is playing with some silky-smooth attacks. She is very fast with the ball at her feet and I think she lost that belief for a few games, but the last couple of games she has gotten that back. She is certainly starting to show who she is, which is a goal scorer and a very dangerous player in the attack. It has been a real positive to see her come back the last few games."
Sunday vs. The Citadel
"Sunday is not going to be easy. The Citadel is a good team. They won its game tonight. The Bulldogs' coach is a fantastic coach, he has really developed the program over the last three years. The SoCon overall is not an easy conference. They are all tough matches. We are really going to have to earn any point just like tonight's game."
Pink Game
On Friday, October 1, the Spartans hosted VMI and sported bright pink socks and recognized and remembered those who have passed, are currently battling, and who are in remission from cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if you are interested in donating to a local not-for-profit organization, please visit:
https://cloud.communication.conehealth.com/make-a-donation
Up Next:
The Spartans wrap up their three-game homestand with a SoCon battle against The Citadel on Sunday, October 10 with a kick off at 2:00 p.m.
