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UNC Greensboro

ETSU at UNCG (SoCon Semifinal), April 10, 2021)
Carlos Morales
1
ETSU ETSU (3-5-3, 3-1-2)
2
Winner UNC Greensboro UNCG (8-2-2, 3-1-2)
ETSU ETSU
(3-5-3, 3-1-2)
1
Final
2
UNC Greensboro UNCG
(8-2-2, 3-1-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
ETSU ETSU 0 1 1
UNC Greensboro UNCG 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | by Rob Knox, Associate AD for Strategic Communications

UNCG Headed To SoCon Championship After 2-1 Win Over ETSU

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The second-seeded UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team painted a Picasso on the pitch to defeat rival and third-seeded ETSU, 2-1, in a spirited Southern Conference semifinal at the UNCG Soccer Stadium Saturday afternoon.
 
The Spartans' sterling effort was worthy of being showcased in the Louvre Museum in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 
 
In a high-stakes playoff game, UNCG used a total team effort along with a mosaic of breath-taking goals in each half from freshman Theo Collomb and sophomore Angel Bacho to advance to its fourth consecutive SoCon championship match. 
 
They also helped the Spartans extend their unbeaten streak to five.
 
UNCG (8-2-2 overall) will remain home and host No. 4 Belmont (7-2-2) next Saturday at 6 p.m. The Spartans edged Belmont, 3-2, in overtime on March 27. 
 
This will be UNCG's 14th appearance in the Southern Conference championship game in program history, while Belmont will be making its first appearance. UNCG eliminated Belmont in the 2019 SoCon semifinals. 
 
"I saw an even game and two very good teams competing today," UNCG head coach Chris Rich said. "It was a tournament game and they're always a grind and competitive. In tournament games, you need to come up with some big moments and we had two really big moments. Two fantastic goals to put ourselves in a good position. Proud of our guys to get a good result against a good team."
 
Last week, UNCG and ETSU played to a scoreless draw. Aside from the goals, this game was different as the Bucs outshot the Spartans, 9-6. Each team had point-blank chances to score but each time the ball was lifted high of the net.
 
UNCG picked the perfect time to play one of most complete matches of the spring season.
 
For Collomb, the SoCon co-freshman of the year, it was his league-leading seventh tally of the season. He took a pass from Mani Austmann and used his right foot going away from the goal and fired it in the low left corner. It was a goal that ended a stretch of147 scoreless minutes between UNCG and ETSU.
 
Meanwhile, Bacho's goal in the 61st minute was a true work of art, a masterpiece that ultimately ended up being the game-winner. 
 
The San Antonio, Texas native with bright sneakers made it 2-0 with a back touch to bring it around off his left foot and sent it in for UNCG's second goal of the game. It was a blast from about 30 yards trailed by a comet's tail and got into the upper right corner.
 
"That was our goal of the year," Rich said. "There's no question about it. Just an incredible goal and that's his weaker foot. He's good with both feet. Super proud of him. He didn't play much last week in the game against ETSU. 
 
"To go from not playing at all to starting because he's been in and out of the lineup to having a really good game was great to see. He capped it off with a fantastic goal. Great moment for him. So happy for him. The guys love him so they're happy."
 
For Bacho, the work in practice during the week yielded a memory he won't forget. 
 
"I am speechless," Bacho said. "That was my first goal of the season. It means a lot to me. When I got the ball, I just turned and shot. I felt so confident. I just tried for the top corner. Two days this week, we did finishing and I think that helped a lot. I shot it from the same spot in practice. This a big win for us and we're fired up for our next game."
 
Of course, ETSU tried to ruin the Spartans artistic display following Jared Lehata's goal in the 70th minute with a late rush that made the cardiovascular systems of UNCG supporters tick a little faster in the final 20 minutes. UNCG freshman keeper Niclas Wild made a huge save with under 10 minutes remaining to preserve his team's one-goal edge. 
 
Wild finished with four saves and his defense in front of him of Emmanuel Hagan, Myson Darden, Ethan Conley, Matthew Cutler, and Sam Coad held strong under the Bucs late siege. While the fans may have been slightly nervous, Austmann was as cool as a scoop of ice cream.
 
"I don't get nervous so you'll have to ask someone else," said Austmann when he was asked if he was nervous. "Good players make good plays. We have really good players and we have a good team this year. Hopefully, we can win more games and do something great."
 
 
 
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