University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Radford
Men's Soccer Falls 1-0 to Radford
10.01.2014 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's soccer team dropped a cagey affair on Wednesday evening at Greenwood Field, 1-0 to Radford University.
Asheville falls to 1-5-1 on the year and 0-2-0 in Big South actions, while the Highlanders improve to 5-2-2 and 2-0-0 in league play.
The teams combined to commit 33 fouls in a game that struggled for fluidity. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to jump out in front when Zach Joens forced a save out of Radford goalkeeper Aitor Pouseu Blanco.
It would eventually be the Highlanders who found the back of the net in the first half. Kieran Roberts received a pass from Neil Martorana at the top of the box and fired a low shot toward the bottom left of the goal. Dan Jackson got low and looked to have a beat on the ball, however the ball eluded him and rolled into the net.
Late in the half Asheville looked for an equalizer when Andrew Sotak served a ball into the box. Quentin Reynolds leaped high to win the ball over a pair of defenders but was unable to direct his header on frame.
Jackson thwarted a number of Radford attempts to add to its lead in the second half by coming out to claim crossing and making a pair of saves, including a leaping effort to push Fraser Colmer's attempt over the crossbar.
Liam Walker and Jackson Allen each had second half attempts as the Bulldogs looked to tie the match. Walker's header off a cross from Joens looked to be heading into the goal at the far post until Pouseu Blanco fisted the ball over the crossbar and out for a corner kick. Allen's attempt came off of the ensuing corner after he gained control of a failed clearance attempt, but was unable to put his shot on frame.
Radford out-shot the Bulldogs 15-4 for the game. Roberts finished with a game-high four shots for Radford. Dan Jackson stopped five shots, while Pouseu Blanco stopped two.
The Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday evening with they face Gardner-Webb at 5:00 p.m. at Greenwood Field.
