GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team, who is ranked 29th in the College Soccer News Preseason rankings, saw four Spartans score in a 5-1 victory.
Of the five goals, Ismail el Harchi Khalfi scored two, while
J.C. Ngando scored a goal and chipped in an assist in the Spartans' home opener.
From head coach Chris Rich
"We weren't clicking the whole game, but it is expected since it is the first game of the year. It was nice to score five goals and create many goal-scoring chances. We are definitely excited to be an offensive-minded team and with new faces."
By the Numbers:
- This was the most goals in a game for the Spartans since October 19, 2021 when UNCG won 7-1 against USC Upstate.
- El Harchi Khalfi is the first Spartan to score two goals in a game since UNCG's game against USC Upstate, when Theo Collomb scored twice.
- Niclas Wild made one save in the victory.
- Colton Sessoms made his first-collegiate start and scored his first-collegiate goal.
- Ethan Conley and Marco Afonso tallied assists.
- Jack Birch was the other goal scorer for the Spartans.
- UNCG extends its all-time record to 15-1-1 against UNC Asheville.
How it Happened:
- 1:56 – Conley crossed the ball from the right side of the 18-yard box, finding Sessoms, who scored off his left boot to get the scoring rolling early.
- 11:55 – Ngando was parallel with the goal after dribbling the ball past Bulldog defenders and snuck the ball into the left upper 90 to extend the Spartan's lead to 2-0.
- 37:47 – Ngando took the ball up the field down the middle channel and got into trouble with some defenders before finding el Harchi Khalfi. The freshman ripped a shot past the left side of the goalkeeper for a 3-0 advantage.
- 38:31 – UNC Asheville cut the deficit to two after Sammy Killimann put the ball back after it was deflected off a foot of a defender.
- 47:05 – Following a cross that was deflected out of the six-yard box, Birch sent a one-timer to the back of the net at 47:06 for a 3-0 lead.
- 60:42 – Afonso looked to put away a goal, but he was denied by the Bulldogs' diving goalkeeper. El Harchi Khalfi collected the rebound and made the goalkeeper work by diving just a bit late of the goal for a 5-1 advantage.
Records:
- UNCG: 1-0-0, 0-0-0 SoCon
- UNCA: 0-1-0, 0-0-0 Big South
From Marco Milanese
"It was important to start off with a big win and I know we will be dangerous moving forward. I am very proud that the Spartans came out to support us. They were fantastic tonight. It wasn't easy because the women's game was before us, so they were here for a long time and I appreciate it. For us, when our fans are loud it is an advantage, it makes it hard for our opponents."
Up Next
The Spartans continue their four-game homestand with a non-conference game against UNC Wilmington on Sunday, August 28 with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
