ASHEVILLE, N.C. Scott Szymanski scored with 26 seconds remaining in regulation to give UNC Asheville a thrilling 2-1 non-conference victory over visiting Wofford Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
The game was scoreless for most of the match before the teams combined for three goals in the final 22 minutes, two in the final three minutes.
“This was a great result for our lads in their final home game,” stated Asheville coach Steve Cornish. “We battled hard against a talented Wofford squad. I like the fact that after Wofford equalized so late in the match that we didn't hang our heads. We found a way to score.”
Asheville (6-7-3) broke a scoreless tie at the 77:47 mark when Ryan Haupt scored on a direct kick from 20 yards out. The Terriers were called for a foul and Haupt sent his kick into the right-hand corner of the goal for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. It was Haupt's third goal of the season.
Wofford (5-12-0) began to seize momentum after the Asheville goal. Despite playing with just 10 players as Haskins Howerton received two yellow cards in the 54th minute and was ejected from the match, the Terriers came on strong. They came close to tying the match several times and finally got the tying goal at 87:46.
Bryan Eddy found Kentrel Owens on the right side of the goal from five yards out. Owens tucked the ball into the left side of the goal to knot the match at 1-1.
The match appeared to be going to overtime when Asheville struck suddenly in the final minute. Freshman Bryan Bartels made a great run down the right sideline and made a perfect pass to Szymanski who hit a rocket from 10 yards out for a 2-1 Bulldogs lead at 89:34.
The victory made Asheville 2-0-1 in its last three matches. The Bulldogs finish the regular season at Liberty next Saturday afternoon.
