GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 21-ranked UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw with the West Virginia Mountaineers on Friday night at UNCG Soccer Stadium in a closely contested affair.
Keaviano Francis found the back of the net for the second time this season, curling home in the first half to convert the Spartans' lone shot on target of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG goalkeeper
Seth Wilson produced a diving stop in the 15
th minute to parry a swerving attempt from West Virginia forward Pablo Pozos, but was caught stranded when Pozos redirected a shot past on the resulting corner.
The lead wouldn't last long, however. UNCG built quick from a goal kick several minutes later, a long ball from
Mason Dancy picking out Francis near midfield. A clever flick from the senior played
Lasse Dahl through on the left wing, and it was Dahl's eventual cross that Francis smashed home in the 24
th minute to level the score.
Neither team was able to put any further attempts on target before the break. The next save came courtesy of Wilson in the 49
th minute, the first of two produced by the senior netminder in the second half. The second came in the 86
th minute, when UNCG's keeper was able to stifle a powerful close range chance with his fingertips.
While West Virginia controlled possession for much of the final 45 minutes, the Spartans were able to break through and force a couple of chances late. Dancy was unable to fully control a volley from close range in the 72
nd minute, and
Bautista Schmidt sent a header just over in the 89
th minute on a corner.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Francis is now the leading scorer for UNCG on the season, his second goal now giving him four points.
- Dahl's assist was his first point of the year and as a Spartan.
- UNCG's one shot on target was the lowest through three games this season after the Spartans had six against both VCU and San Francisco.
- The Spartans' defense continues to shine through three games, holding West Virginia to just four shots on target during the contest on 12 total attempts.
- Through the opening three contests, UNCG's defense has allowed just 13 shots on goal and two goals overall.
UP NEXT
UNCG is away from home for a three-game road trip, beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 1 against the Davidson Wildcats. Kickoff from Alumni Soccer Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
