GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team (4-2-5, 1-0-1 SoCon) is back in Southern Conference (SoCon) action against the VMI Keydets (4-10-1, 0-3-0 SoCon) on Saturday in Lexington, Virginia. Kickoff at Patchin Field is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+. 
 
Saturday marks both a return to the road as the first of three away tilts for the Spartans and to SoCon action, which Chris Rich and company haven't competed in since Sept. 26 against Mercer. The Spartans are aiming to respond after a 5-1 loss to Marshall in Greensboro last time out, on Oct. 13.
 

Game 12: UNC Greensboro (4-2-5, 1-0-1 SoCon) vs. VMI (4-10-1, 0-3-0 SoCon)
Date & Time	Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Location	Lexington, Va. | Patchin Field
Coverage	Live Stats: Live Stats Broadcast: ESPN+
Social Media	Follow the UNC Greensboro men's soccer team on Instagram (@uncgsoccer), Twitter (@UNCGsoccer), and Facebook (UNCGMensSoccer) to keep track of all the action and updates!

 
SERIES HISTORY VS. VMI
Saturday Is the 26^th meeting all-time between the two sides; UNCG sports a perfect 25-0-0 record thus far in the series against the Keydets. Last season saw the pair meet twice, the Spartans picking up a 2-0 regular season win on Oct. 11 before dispatching VMI 5-1 in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament. 
 
SCOUTING THE KEYDETS
Head Coach Nick Regan's squad is also looking to bounce back after its last outing, a 6-1 loss to Furman on Oct. 10. While sitting at 4-10-1, the Keydets are 4-3-1 at home this season as they search for a first SoCon win since Nov. 1 of last season against ETSU. 
 
VMI is led by forwards Yeirin Mejia and Jaden Moore, both of whom have tallied six goals; Mejia's two assists give him the overall edge in points, 14-13. Jesse Lee ranks third among the side with eight points (3G, 2A), while Jordan Savage sports a team-high three assists. Through 15 games played, the Keydets rank 33^rd nationally in goals (33), averaging 1.67 a game; but they've also been shut out five times this season. 
 
In goal, Santiago Rocha (900:00 minutes) and Ben Bruzonic (422:13) have split the bulk of the work, Bruzonic sporting a 3-1 record between the sticks and a 1.49 goals-against-average to lead the team. Rocha currently sits 20^th in Division I in saves per game (4.64) and total saves (51). 
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNCG
A 3-1 win over NC State gave way to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Marshall on Tuesday, Caleb Borneo's stunning first half free kick overridden at the hands of a 3-0 second half for the Thundering Herd. It was just the second time this season that Head Coach Chris Rich and company have conceded multiple goals in a game, after a 2-2 draw at Davidson on Sept. 1. 
 
TEAM LEADERS FOR THE SPARTANS
Borneo's free kick on Tuesday was his fourth goal of the season, tying him with Keaviano Francis for most this season; the pair of senior midfielders sit tied for first with nine points each this season for UNCG. Pablo Torre and Filipe Matos sit tied for second with six points (2G, 2A each) for the Spartans, while Lasse Dahl (1G, 3A) and Malo Jungling (2G, 1A) both have five so far. 
 
Overall, 13 different players have contributed at least a point for UNCG through 11 games this season. Five have multiple goals, while four have multiple assists; Trym Linberg stands tied with Dahl for the assists lead with three helpers. 
 
UNCG FIRSTS ON THE SEASON
Mason Dancy, Gavin DeHart, Jungling, Robinand, and Bautista Schmidt have all recorded their first collegiate points this season while donning the Blue & Gold. For the quartet of Dancy, Jungling, Robinand, and Schmidt, it's been through scoring a goal. 
 
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK WATCH
UNCG has had six players earn recognition as a SoCon Player of the Week, the most of any team in the Conference. Francis (Sept. 1), Borneo (Sept. 2) and Jungling (Sept. 22) have all taken home Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Linberg (Aug. 25), Seth Wilson (Sept. 15) and Mathis Robinand (Oct. 13) have been recognized Defensively. 
 
The Spartans remain the only team in the conference with more than three honorees and multiple recognitions on both sides of the ball.
 
SPARTANS AROUND THE CONFERENCE
UNCG continues to lead the SoCon in goal differential (+6), shutout percentage (.273), and team goals against average (1.182). The Spartans also rank second in assists per game (1.55), points per game (5.00), shot accuracy (.454), and overall record percentage (.591). 
 
UNCG AIMING FOR RETURN TO FORM
Prior to the loss to Marshall, the Blue & Gold sported a 10-2 (+8) goal differential over a 3-0-1 run following the last defeat for the Spartans at South Carolina. The Spartan defense had allowed just seven shots on goal over those four games before Marshall matched that number on Tuesday night.
 
UNCG VS OPPONENTS – BY THE NUMBERS

• Goals: 19-13 (1.73 – 1.18 per game)
• Shots: 130-108 (11.8 – 9.8 per game)
• Shots on Goal: 59/130 – 44/108 (0.454 – 0.407)
• Assists: 17-6
• Saves: 31-40
• Corners: 48-47
• Cards: 16-26

 
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UP NEXT     
The Spartans remain on the road for the Blue & Gold's final non-conference game of the season, at (RV) High Point on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Kickoff from Vert Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.