GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro men's soccer program has developed to the point where moral victories are no longer a balm for a difficult setback.
Maybe for a few hours, an asterisk may be appropriate following a tough 2-1 double overtime loss to visiting Saint Joseph's in a spirited non-conference match at sun splashed UNCG Soccer Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Make no mistake, this one hurt.
Quotable
UNCG head coach Chris Rich on the overall match.
"Very proud of the group. I thought we were the better team after the red card. I thought we responded well to that. We made some adjustments and came out aggressive in the second half and pressed them. We've shown many times that we're a resilient group, so I already knew that about them. Being down 1-0, I believed we were going to win. When we tied it 1-1, even though we were a man down, I believed we were going to win and that's how we were coaching and playing. Unfortunately, we came up short in the end. Super proud of the performance of the guys in the way we competed.
How It Happened
- UNCG players slumped to the turf after Saint Joseph's forward Alex Hartmann's ball found the back of the net off a scramble in front of the net with 1:16 remaining.
- It was Saint Joseph's first victory of the 2021 campaign.
- The Spartans almost won the game in overtime.
- Joey Skinner's header was stopped by Saint Joseph's backup keeper Christian Matson with five minutes remaining in the first overtime.
- Peeling back the layers though, one would notice that the resilient Spartans showcased their championship traits over the final 78 minutes as they played a man down.
- UNCG created quality scoring opportunities, displayed a reservoir of energy that enabled it to apply consistent pressure down the stretch, and controlled the contest for long periods of the second half.
- The work paid off when the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick with 2:47 remaining in regulation after a Saint Joseph's was whistled for a dangerous play inside the 18-yard box.
- Sophomore Daniel Mangarov was as cool as the other side of the pillow in scoring the tying goal.
- UNCG was in a hole following Blake Driehuis' breakaway goal the 18th minute. Daniel Morales got the assist on the goal.
Rich on UNCG's slow start to the match.
"We didn't handle their intensity or their press well. Saint Joseph's did a very good job early on causing us problems. It took us a while to get into the game. Once we got into the game, we got control and were very dangerous. Conceding that first goal is incredibly disappointing and it's a mistake. We know that. We have to avoid those kinds of mistakes moving forward in order to be successful."
Inside the Numbers
- UNCG has allowed at least two goals in four of its last five home matches dating back to last season.
- UNCG clustered three of its eight corner kicks during a 90-second stretch of the second half.
- Theo Collomb led UNCG with four shots.
- The teams combined for 40 fouls and 10 cards (including one red).
Up Next
UNCG plays its first road game of the 2021 season when it travels to Winthrop on Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m.
Final Word
Rich on the Spartans being 2-2 after their four-match homestand to begin the season.
"I thought we did enough to win the game today. I'd be lying if I didn't say we're all disappointed in being 2-2. We have higher expectations than that here at UNCG and we need to be better."
