University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men's Soccer Heads to VMI on Saturday for Big South Opener
09.23.2011 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's soccer team opens Big South Conference play Saturday afternoon when the Bulldogs travel to VMI to take on the Keydets starting at 4 p.m. Saturday's match will be video-streamed by the Big South Network and can be seen at www.uncabulldogs.com.
Asheville (1-4-1) picked up its first win of the season on Monday with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brevard College. Senior midfielder Jake Hagedorn scored two goals to lead the Bulldog attack.
"It's always good to get that first win. We've been playing some good soccer but just haven't had much to show for it against a tough schedule," admitted Asheville coach Matt Kern. "We started out a little slow against Brevard but really picked things up as the game went on and finished very strong."
The Bulldogs face a winless VMI (0-8-0) squad on Saturday. However, the Keydets have lost five of those matches by just one goal.
"VMI has played everyone tough but fell a little short in its matches," stated Kern. "We certainly have plenty of respect for them and know it'll be a tough match. VMI beat us last season."
The VMI contest starts a four-game road swing for Asheville. The Bulldogs play at Appalachian State (Sept. 27), Radford (Oct. 2) and top-ranked UNC Chapel Hill (Oct. 4).
"We need to find a way to some road matches," commented Kern. "We've been close this year but now it's time to win some matches."
BULLDOG NOTES
Senior midfielder Jake Hagedorn leads Asheville in scoring with four goals and nine points.
Senior goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen has played every minute of all six matches for Asheville this season. He has posted 1.72 goals against average.
The Bulldogs have only been out-scored 11-8 this season. Three of the four losses have come by one goal.
VMI defeated Asheville 2-1 last season at Greenwood Field. The Bulldogs won the last they played at VMI in 2009 by a 2-1 score. The last three games in the series have been 2-1 scores with Asheville winning two of those contests.
