GREENSBORO, N.C. – The offensive opportunities arrived in bunches just as UNC Greensboro (UNCG) head men's soccer coach Chris Rich knew they would.
The Spartans relentlessly attacked. They incessantly fired shots. They excessively took corner kicks – 20 to be exact. They battled, competed like champions, and controlled time of possession.
Unfortunately, soccer being soccer, none of it mattered.
Belmont made the most of its rare chances to score, using a pair of second-half headers from Jack Shaw and Liam O'Brian, to stun UNCG, 2-1, in a Southern Conference semifinal match inside of the chilly UNCG Soccer Stadium before bundled-up fans that included two-time Olympic medalist Paul Chelimo, a UNCG graduate, Sunday night.
For the second time this season, the Spartans were unable to solve the Belmont riddle. Two of UNCG's four setbacks this season were to the Bruins.
UNCG's Fernando Garcia's goal in the 86th minute quickened pulse rates and increased everybody's blood pressure. Following that Garcia tally, UNCG playing with desperation fueled by urgency created more scoring chances as many fans in the stadium stood, screamed, and squeezed each other tighter during the final, frantic minutes in which the Spartans tried for the equalizer.
For the second consecutive season, the fourth-seeded Belmont Bruins knocked off the No. 1 seed on the road to advance to next weekend's SoCon championship match at No. 2 seed Mercer, a 4-0 winner over Furman.
Once the game ended, Emmanuel Hagan slowly peeled the black athletic tape off his wrist. Rich hugged players. J.C. Ngando laid on the grass. He, like every gray-shirted Spartan that stepped on the pitch, emptied their tanks and literally left everything they had on the field.
However, one tough night doesn't tarnish what was a special season for the Spartans who won 13 matches, the most in a single season since 2006.
When the hurt subsides, UNCG can hold its heads high at the numerous thrilling moments it provided its fans with during a memorable campaign.
Records
Belmont 13-4-1
UNCG 13-4-1
Quotable
Rich on the overall match.
"Super proud of the performance tonight. Disappointed in the result. We created many, many fantastic opportunities to score goals and unfortunately; we lacked that final product. We conceded two goals and that was also disappointing. Even when we were down 2-0, we kept fighting and we didn't give up. We showed a great resilience and a great mentality. We just came up short."
Rich on the 2021 season.
"We've put together an incredible body of work. To win 13 games and a regular season championship, I am super proud about that. The way we beat teams and scored goals. The amount of the goals we scored, the statistical categories we were able to lead the country in and the individual accolades, there's a lot to be proud of. Unfortunately, we went up against a team in Belmont that had our number this year. That's the only team that stands between us and maybe another championship and the NCAA Tournament. I want the guys to hold their heads high because what we put together this year has been impressive."
Inside The Numbers
- UNCG outshot Belmont 22-5.
- UNCG had 11 of its season-high 20 corner kicks in the first half.
- The Spartans had four corner kicks in the first four minutes.
- Belmont's Drew Romig made five saves.
- The Spartans outshot Belmont, 9-0, in the opening half.
- Belmont's first shot of the match came in the 54th minute.
- For the third straight match, UNCG didn't score in the first half.
- Joey Skinner and J.C.Ngando led UNCG with four shots each.
- The last seven matches between Belmont and UNCG have been decided by one goal.
2021 Season Highlights
- One of the biggest wins in school history – 3-1 over No. 2 Clemson on Sept. 21.
- Road victory against Coastal Carolina in overtime.
- During the regular season, UNCG posted clean sheets in five of its six SoCon matches.
- Nine All-SoCon selections including the Player of the Year (Theo Collomb), Freshman of the Year (Ngando), Goalkeeper of the Year (Niclas Wild) and co-Coach of the Year (Rich).
- Scored three or more goals in 10 matches this season.
- Entered the SoCon Tournament leading the country in goals, points, scoring offense, points per game, and goal differential.
- They were third in corner kicks per game, total assists, fourth in assists per game, and fifth in shutout percentage.
- Enjoyed an eight-match unbeaten streak that featured six consecutive victories from Sept.11 to Oct.16.
- Ranked as high as 16th nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25.
Up Next
- UNCG will hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced on Monday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. on ncaa.com.
