GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team saw its 2021 spring season conclude with a 2-0 setback to Samford in a Southern Conference contest Saturday afternoon.
 
It was a tough ending following a terrific run that saw the Spartans rattle off three consecutive victories to give them an opportunity to earn a playoff spot on the season's final day. Samford finished the regular season by winning its last four matches.
 
The Bulldogs earned a point in every SoCon match this spring.
 
While there was immediate disappointment at the result for the Spartan seniors, they will smile once they get a chance to reflect on all they accomplished during their careers.
 
Years from now when they gather for reunions, look through scrapbooks and share stories; they will be proud of all their accomplishments during an unforgettable career of highlights, records, and shining moments that included two SoCon championships and a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.
 
They depart having continued the standard of excellence for the women's soccer program.
 
The postgame hugs of UNCG seniors Quiqui Hita, Kelley Mitchell, Sophie Stewart-Hobbs, Isabel Pearce and Kaley Tucker were a little longer and tighter after the game ended. Those five along with senior Julia Brown, who wasn't at the match because of clinicals she was attending as a nursing student, have also made a significant impact off the field for UNCG.
 
"I focused on the seniors postgame and I told them to consider their careers very successful because they've been conference champions twice," UNCG head coach Michael Coll said. "The majority of student-athletes don't even have one ring when they leave college, and this senior class is leaving here with two. The end is always hard and they're sad, but they walk out of here big-time winners."
 
UNCG gave a strong effort against Samford.
 
Samford's Kylie Gazza scored in the sixth minute and Kyla Reynolds added a tally in the 79th minute. In between, the Spartans created a few flurries especially early in the second half when a long shot by Jordin Mosley gave the Samford keeper trouble. Tucker had a quality chance in the 55th minute to tie the game.
 
"The effort today was a culmination of an effort we had been moving toward after the Mercer game, which was two weeks ago," Coll said. "It was pretty clear that we had to win four matches to make the playoffs. We won the first three and today we just didn't have enough to finish with a win."
 
The Spartans survived a challenging campaign. Just having the ability to play the sport they love was something to be cherished even if they fell short of their team goal. UNCG's future is bright as several talented players return next season.
 
They will use this as motivation and fuel to enjoy a happier finish next season.
 
"We played five freshmen a lot," Coll said. "They have done well. We are excited moving ahead. We didn't get the win today, but we know we have everything in place to make a good push the next time."