Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – Both UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) entered the match with unfedeated records, and three goals from
Steven Hernandez lifted the Spartans to a 5-1 victory Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The Spartans are ranked No. 7 in the South Region United Soccer Coaches Poll and receiving votes in the top-25 United Soccer Coaches National Poll. They also moved up three spots to No. 26 in the College Soccer News Poll.
Coastal Carolina is No. 6 in the No. 6 in the Southeast Region.
From freshman Steven Hernandez
"The first half was tough after a 1-1 tie, but we came back stronger in the second half and it felt amazing when we scored and we kept grinding to get those four goals. To score three goals myself, it felt amazing. And to do it as a freshman is even more special, and I am going to continue growing from here."
By the Numbers:
- Junior goalkeeper
Niclas Wild made five saves in the match.
- UNCG notched an impressive 14 shots versus CCU's nine.
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Steven Hernandez scored his first collegiate goal to crack open the scoring vault and concluded the game with three.
- This was the first hat trick since
Theo Collomb scored three in a 7-0 shutout over VMI on September 25, 2021.
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Emmanuel Hagan's goal was his first of the season and just his second of his career.
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Maycol Reyes scored his first goal of the season and fourth tally in his career.
- Nine Spartans have now scored at least one goal this season.
- This was the 21st meeting in history between the two teams and this was the second time that the Spartans' won by a margin of four.
- It is also the first time that the Spartans have scored five goals or more against Coastal Carolina.
How it Happened:
CCU started the match with high pressure and a clear desire for an early lead. The Spartans were able to hold the Chanticleer's off and would eventually take a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute with a goal coming from freshman
Steven Hernandez after some brilliant passing by JC Ngando. CCU was quick to respond, scoring its first and only goal coming just over a minute later from Maurice Hauser with a half-volley just six yards out from the goal to tie the game at one.
The Spartans wasted no time in the second half taking the lead back in the 52nd minute, as
Emmanuel Hagan found the back of the net off a corner kick from
Marco Afonso.
Steven Hernandez would add to his goal count after a scrum in CCU's 18-yard box in the 54th minute for a 3-1 advantage. Hernandez would then go on to fulfill his hat trick with impressive composure as he passed one by the Chanticleer goalkeeper in the 72nd minute. The Spartans goal scoring was concluded by senior
Maycol Reyes just moments after stepping onto the pitch. Reyes' was assisted by freshman defender
Maddox Mallery, who, after beating CCU's back line, hooked in a cross at just the right height for Reyes to notch a diving header finish for a four-goal lead.
The goals did not go unanswered however, with CCU having several dangerous shots on goal, but
Niclas Wild was having none of it. Wild went on to make a number of diving and upper 90 saves throughout the game which solidified the Spartans dominant finish.
Records:
- UNCG: 2-0-0, 0-0-0 SoCon
- Coastal Carolina: 2-1-0, 0-0-0 Sun Belt
Up Next
The Spartans conclude its four-game homestand with the High Point Panthers on Tuesday, September 6th, with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
