CHARLESTON, S.C. - UNCG women's soccer ends its road trip with a win this Sunday, coming from behind to hand The Citadel a 3-1 loss in Charleston. Three different Spartans tallied goals on the afternoon, while freshman
Caroline Woods picked up the second of her career on what proved to be the game-winner.
Fans hardly had time to settle in their seats before the scoring started, with the Bulldogs opening up a one-goal lead in the second minute. Citadel leading scorer Logan Dix tallied her 10th goal of 2021 against the UNCG defense, putting the Spartans' behind the eight-ball early.
Head Coach
Michael Coll's side was determined to find an equalizer however as the Spartans went on to reel off five unanswered shots. The UNCG offense tested the Bulldog keeper three times in the proceeding 10 minutes after The Citadel's initial tally, but it wouldn't be until the 40th that the Spartans drew level.
After UNCG was fouled inside the 18,
Kaley Tucker lined up to convert UNCG's first penalty of the season. The senior took her spot kick opportunity coolly, delivering a ball into the right upper-90 for her ninth goal in a Spartan uniform all-time.
With UNCG finding the tying marker so late in the half, the score looked certain to remain level at break until first-year forward
Caroline Woods broke the 1-1 tie.
As the Spartans continued to apply pressure leading up to halftime,
Rachel Rouse delivered a perfect cross into Woods from the right side with just over 30 seconds remaining. With Woods' mark slipping inside the box, the freshman had time to settle Rouse's cross off her thigh before taking her strike off the half-volley to give her team the lead on a shot into the left side netting.
The Spartans outshot their opponents 8-4 in the first half, with six of their shots reaching target, but it would still be the visitors pressing for another goal at the start of the second. Jordin Mosely tested The Citadel keeper in the 48th as the Spartans owned possession for most of the second half early stages, with forward
Maddy Gilhool finding her team's third tally roughly 30 minutes later.
Gilhool created multiple chances for UNCG while using her speed in the second half. The sophomore forward nearly had her first goal of the season during the 73rd after getting behind The Citadel defense, however the Bulldog keeper was up to task, making a hard run off her line to come meet Gilhool and get a hand on her opponents' shot.
Gilhool did not have long to dwell on her previous scoring chance, putting away her first of the year just five minutes later, during the 78th. Taking control from more than 30 yards out, the forward made a run up the middle of the field, splitting the Citadel defense, before beating the Bulldog keeper.
The Spartans held out for the remaining 12 minutes despite three attempts at goal from The Citadel. Starting keeper
Abby Buchholz made a pair of stops in the final 45, clinching a 3-1 decision for the visiting Spartans and UNCG's second win in conference play.
>>> Woods is now tied with
Ashley Avelino for a team best two goals on the season, while her 11 shots are also tied for a Spartan-high
>>>
Rachel Rouse's helper on Woods' goal is her second assist of the season, tallying a point on Avelino's game-winner against Western Carolina earlier in the season
>>> The Citadel actually outshot the Spartans 13-12 on the afternoon, but while UNCG put six of their attempts on target, only three of the Bulldogs' shots were on frame
#letsgoG