UNC Asheville Men's Soccer Hosts Gardner-Webb on Wednesday; Seniors Honored Prior to Match

ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? The UNC Asheville men's soccer team finishes up the regular season Wednesday afternoon when the Bulldogs host Gardner-Webb at Greenwood Field starting at 3 p.m. Admission is free. The match will be Senior Day as the school will honor its seven seniors playing their final home match.

The Bulldogs have had a frustrating season and enter Wednesday's match with a 3-12-1 overall record. However, Asheville picked up a win in its last match with an exciting 2-1 victory at Appalachian State Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs trailed 1-0 late in the match but got a tying goal from Scott Szymanski and the winning goal from John Hillman with five minutes remaining. The Apps out-shot Asheville, 20-8 but the Bulldogs were able to get their third win of the year.

“I'm really proud of our lads for getting a victory at Appalachian State,” stated UNC Asheville coach Steve Cornish. “We always have a tough time winning in Boone. ASU controlled the match and got the first goal with less than 30 minutes left. It would have been easy to give up at that point but our lads were determined to get a result. We found a way to score two great goals and get a big road win.”

Gardner-Webb has also had a frustrating season as the Runnin' Bulldogs are 3-14-1 on the year. GWU has lost nine one-goal matches this year. Cornish has a great deal of respect for the future Big South opponent. Gardner-Webb will be a Big South member next year.

“We know the kind of season Gardner-Webb has had this year because it's a lot like ours,” commented Cornish. “They are a well-coached team that has been very unlucky this season in getting results.”

Prior to the match, UNC Asheville will honor forward Daniel Bandoly, midfielder Nicholas Baud, defender Chris Burn, defender John Hillman, goalkeeper Phillip Horner,

goalkeeper Michael Pereira and forward David Verga.

“We appreciate what these seniors have accomplished during their career,” said Cornish. “They have represented UNC Asheville in a classy way and we will miss them next year.”