Bulldogs Host High Point in Men's Soccer on Saturday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's soccer team gets back into Big South Conference play Saturday when the Bulldogs host league rival High Point at Greenwood Field starting at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Asheville (2-6-2, 1-1-0 BSC) is coming off an almost-upset of #UNC Chapel Hill last Tuesday night. The Bulldogs led 1-0 late in the match until the Tar Heels tied it with 15 minutes left and then won on a golden goal four minutes into the first overtime period.

"Tuesday was a heart-breaker," admitted second-year coach Matt Kern. "We didn't go to Chapel Hill to come close and give them a good game, we went there to win. To be so close makes it even tougher."

The Bulldogs face another stiff challenge in a strong High Point squad that won the Big South regular-season last year. The Panthers are 4-5-1 on the season and 1-1-0 in Big South play. However, High Point just knocked off UNC Greensboro on the road, 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

"High Point is an excellent team," stated Kern. "We've faced a lot of good teams this season, and High Point is just as good as any of them. They are extremely fast up front and are solid on the backline. We're going to need another great effort like we had at Chapel Hill to get a result on Saturday."

Asheville is being led in scoring by two seniors. Bryan Bartels and Jake Hagedorn both have four goals and one assist for nine points. Bartels has scored a goal in each of the last two matches. Senior goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen has been sensational for the Bulldogs. He has stopped 28 shots in the last three matches, including a career-high 15 against the Tar Heels.

Kern's club will be looking for their first victory against the Panthers since the 2005 season when Asheville defeated High Point, 3-0. The Bulldogs have gone 0-6-1 since then. Asheville's last point came in the 2008 campaign when the teams played to a 1-1 tie at High Point. The Panthers knocked off Asheville twice a year ago with a 3-0 decision in the regular-season and 2-0 victory in the tournament. Both matches were at High Point.

BULLDOG NOTES

Asheville has played just two home games this season. The Bulldogs are 1-0-1 at Greenwood Field. Asheville's next five home matches starting tomorrow will all be on Saturday.

The Bulldogs have played three straight overtime matches, going 1-1-1 in them. Asheville has played a total of five overtime matches and has a 1-2-2 record in extra time this season.

Lassi Hurskainen is eighth nationally in saves per match with a 7.2 average.

Asheville has only been out-scored 16-12 on the year. The Bulldogs have scored in every match but one.

Five of Asheville's six losses have come by one goal.