GREENSBORO, N.C. – As UNC Greensboro (UNCG) head men's soccer coach Chris Rich finished his Zoom postgame press conference, he embraced Mani Austmann in a big hug before the sophomore midfielder spoke to the media. The pair exchanged quick words along with knowing glances that more extraordinary moments are ahead.
Of course, in the immediate aftermath of a heartbreaking 3-2 setback to visiting Omaha in the first round of the 2020 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament at the UNCG Soccer Stadium Thursday night, it was hard to focus on the big picture.
"We've taken a giant step forward as a program," Rich said. "We controlled most games, both in possession and statistically, so our performances were there. We won a majority of our games; we played this year. So, to host the entire conference tournament and an NCAA tournament game, that's a giant step forward for us."
The hurt was real as UNCG players dropped to their knees following the final whistle. The pain was legit as they took off their sacred grey-and-gold uniforms for the last time this season. It's sad to see a dream season end. Especially this one.
Yet when the disappointment subsides, the Spartans will cherish the memories they created during this spring campaign in which they finished 9-3-2 overall. Last season, in Rich's first year, the Spartans won the Southern Conference regular-season championship.
Year two featured a Southern Conference tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in which they earned a home match and were greeted by an enthusiastic throng of 732 fans – many dressed in blue-and-gold and some with their bodies painted.
Imagine what next year promises especially with UNCG losing two players from this special team and every returning player hungry for more success.
"This season was amazing for me," Austmann said. "We've taken a big step forward to become a big name in the nation. I think we have a good team. It was also great to play in front of fans because that's what we live for."
The championship character and grit that was a hallmark of the Spartans this season surfaced during a breathtaking five-minute stretch of the second half after UNCG fell behind, 2-0, in the 69th minute.
Most programs would've conceded that this wasn't their night. Not the Spartans who believe if time is remaining, victory is possible.
The intensity increased. The determination grew fiercer. Facing adversity, the Spartans responded superbly and immediately retaliated.
Competing with relentless tenacity, UNCG gave the crowd plenty to cheer about when freshman Theo Collomb scored in the 71st minute to slice UNCG's deficit in half. Austmann tied the match five minutes later. Matthew Cutler made a great run down the right side and dropped a pass to Angel Bacho, who found Austmann in the 18-yard box, who fired a laser into the right corner of the net.
"I couldn't be prouder and more impressed with how we responded and performed in the second half," Rich said. "When we were down 1-0, I never thought we were going to lose. I knew we were going to score. When we were down 2-0, I never thought we were going to lose. We've shown resilience and a fight to overcome deficits all year. To make it 2-2, I was super proud."
Even though Omaha was shaken by the Spartan burst of brilliance, it had Hugo Kametani, and he was the difference. The Mavericks' offensive leader scored twice in the second half, including the game-winner in the 86th minute to break the tie and send them to a Sunday second-round meeting against No. 4 seed Stanford at 5 p.m.
Omaha (7-2-2 overall) took advantage of a Spartan error in the first half and scored. Nil Ayats converted a pass from Ed Port for the first goal of the contest in the 32nd minute.
"I couldn't be prouder of the season that we had," Rich said. "I thought that we were the best team in our conference all year round. All this loss is going to do is fuel us as a staff and as a program to get better. We have a lot of good players and we have some good players coming in. We feel very good about ourselves right now."
