MACON, Ga. – The No. 17 UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team took on a strong Mercer team Saturday night and took home a 1-0 win thanks to an early goal and strong defense.
Sophomore
J.C. Ngando had the lone goal of the match, while goalkeeper
Niclas Wild had seven saves to help the Spartans get the win. This was UNCG's sixth shutout of the season.
This is the second season under
Chris Rich with 10 or more wins.
The Spartans entered the match No. 17 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll, No. 4 in the South Region. They are also No. 13 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll and No. 19 in the College Soccer News poll.
How it Happened:
One of the best opportunities for either team came early in the match when Mercer had a free kick at the top of the Spartan's 18-yard box. The Bears set up for a shot on goal but went just wide of the net, keeping the score at zero. Following a pass from
Marco Milanese, Ngando was pressured with two Mercer defenders, but he managed to break through just enough to get an angle to shoot. A low and driven shot found the back of the net to get the Spartans on the board with a 1-0 lead in the 17
th minute.
Mercer fought hard to tie it up and in the 30
th minute the Bears earned a penalty kick. The Bears' Dylan Gaither went to place the ball in the corner but Wild, making a diving save, forced the ball out successfully saving the strike.
Mercer was not going down easily though and had another huge opportunity with three minutes left in the game with a free kick from about 25 yards out. Mercer put a beautiful finish in towards the upper-90 of the Spartans goal, but Wild denied the Bears with another diving save to keep his team on top.
From Wild on the game
"We knew that this would be a super intense and difficult match. Mercer is a good in what they are doing and it is always a fight down here.
"I am super happy that we achieved another clean sheet which we had to fight super hard for. Often it is hard to impact the game as a goalkeeper especially when you play as dominant as we do. I am glad that I was able to contribute my part to this road win today."
By the Numbers:
- Ngando tallied his fourth goal of the season and ninth goal of his career.
- Milanese recorded his second assist of the season.
- Wild registered seven saves in the win.
- Mercer had 12 shots to UNCG's nine.
- UNCG had eight corner kicks, while Mercer had five.
Records:
UNCG: 10-1-4, 3-0-1 SoCon
Mercer: 5-4-6, 1-1-2 SoCon
Up Next:
The Spartans will conclude the regular season on Saturday, October 29 against Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. with the trophy on the line. Following the game, UNCG and the other SoCon schools will receive their fate for the 2022 SoCon Men's Soccer Tournament.
