University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
VMI
Men's Soccer Edged by VMI, 2-1
09.25.2011 | Men's Soccer
LEXINGTON, VA. - VMI scored late in the match and then held on to edge UNC Asheville 2-1 in Big South Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (1-5-1, 0-1-0 BSC) out-shot the Keydets 21-16 and buzzed the VMI net in the final 10 minutes but could not get the equalizer.
With the match tied at 1-1, Chase Barnett picked up a loose ball in the goal area and scored unassisted at 72:20 to give the home team the go-ahead goal.
VMI's Stephen Mallon was issued a red card in the 79th minute as the Keydets had to play the final 10 minutes with only 10 men.
The Bulldogs took total control at that point and fired seven shots at the VMI goal in last part of the match.
The Keydets (1-8, 1-0 Big South) struck first in the 22nd minute as Farmer netted the first goal of his Keydet career off a corner kick from junior Kip Zechman.
Asheville (1-5-1, 0-1 Big South) had its best opportunity in of the opening half with 12:45 left. Bulldog midfielder Bobby Castro split a pair of VMI defenders on the left-flank, and sent a pass to Rob May who ripped a shot that hit the left post, leaving the tally 1-0 in favor of the Keydets heading into the half.
The shot count was even heading into the second half as each team had 10 shots apiece, while the Keydets held a 5-2 corner advantage at the intermission.
The Keydets dodged a bullet early in the second stanza, as a Rob May chip shot from 20-yards out went over the head of VMI goalkeeper Taylor Feuerstein who was off his line. However, an alert senior co-captain Brandon Gary headed the ball off the goal line to preserve the VMI lead.
Asheville registered the equalizer in the 60th minute, as Bryan Bartels made a fantastic 30-yard run with the ball at his feet. The Asheville senior beat a pair of VMI defenders on the left flank, then fired a shot from 15-yards out past Feuerstein back post to knot the match at 1-1.
The Bulldogs are back in action Tuesday night when they play at Appalachian State starting at 7 p.m.
