GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team, who is ranked 29th in the College Soccer News Preseason rankings, recorded its first shutout of the season. The Spartans blanked UNC Wilmington, 2-0, Sunday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
From head coach Chris Rich
"This was a very good result for us. UNCW is a very good team. We had a very good first half and left a few out there that we could have finished, so that was a little disappointing but a great finish just before halftime. Wilmington came out very strong during the second half and we had to grind and defend and I am proud of the guys for doing that."
By the Numbers:
- Niclas Wild made one save in the victory and tallied his 14th-career shutout.
- UNCW leads all-time, 10-7-1.
- Sophomore Steven Cordova scored his first-collegiate goal with assist from junior Maycol Reyes. This was Reyes' first assist of the season and third of his career.
- Marco Afonso netted his first goal of the season, and ninth goal of his career, while freshman Steven Hernandez recorded his first-collegiate assist.
- UNCG had six shots on goal in the first half, to UNCW's none.
- The Spartans outshot the Seahawks 14-9.
How it Happened:
- 44:52 – Reyes took a strike from the left side of the 18-yard box, but it was stopped at the doorstep by the Seahawks' goalkeeper. Cordova collected the rebound and put it back with his left foot for a 1-0 advantage with eight second left in the half.
- 71:41 – On the counter, Hernandez sent a through ball to a charging Afonso who beat the defenders touching the ball once before sliding it past the diving goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.
Records:
- UNCG: 2-0-0, 0-0-0 SoCon
- UNCW: 0-1-1, 0-0-0 CAA
Up Next
The Spartans continue their four-game homestand, hosting Coastal Carolina on Friday, September 2 with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
