Men's Soccer Opens With 4-3 Victory Over IUPUI

LEXINGTON, KY. - Junior forward Scott Szymanski scored twice to lead UNC Asheville to a 4-3 opening game win over IUPUI in first round of the Kentucky Invitational Friday evening at Wildcat Soccer Field.

The Bulldogs (1-0) broke a 1-1 tie with three unanswered goals to post their first opening day victory since the 2004 season. The Jaguars scored twice in the final 16 minutes but could not get the equalizer.

"We are delighted to get a result against a fine IUPUI club," stated Asheville coach Steve Cornish. "Any time you score four goals against a good opponent you have to feel good about the way your offense performed. Things got a little crazy in the final 20 minutes but we managed to get a big win."

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the first half when Nathan Neal collected a pass from Caleb Alexander and scored on a cross in the 19th minute.

IUPUI tied the match at 1-1 when Nacovski Vangel scored in the 25th minute off a rebound.

Asheville went ahead in the 37th minute when Szymanski scored his first goal on a shot from 10 yards out. The goal was unassisted.

The Bulldogs led 2-1 at halftime and scored two more goals to push the lead to 4-1. Alex Morrow scored in the 59th minute on a 25-yard blast for a 4-1 Asheville lead.

Szymanski scored on a header in the 70th minute for the eventual game-winner. Nicholas Baud and Morrow earned assists on the play.

Baud received a red-card in the 72nd minute and things got a little crazy for Asheville. Vangel scored his second goal of the game on a PK to cut the lead to 4-2.

Eric Weigman tallied with five minutes left on a six-yard blast to narrow the lead to 4-3.

However, Asheville was able to hold over the last five minutes to earn to get the win.

The Bulldogs play next on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. when they face national power Kentucky.