University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Wednesday, October 11
Rock Hill, SC
6:00 PM
UNC Asheville
6-7-1, 2-3
1
at
4
Winthrop
5-7-1, 2-4
1
2
F
UNC Asheville
1
0
1
WINTHROP
2
2
4
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Bulldogs’ Winning Streak Ends at Winthrop
10.11.2017 | Women's Soccer
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Despite sophomore forward Rachel Snyder scoring her first goal of the season, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team saw its two-game winning streak come to an end as the Bulldogs fell 4-1 to Winthrop on Wednesday night.
BULLDOG BITES
How It Happened
The game's first goal was scored in the 26th minute as Winthrop's Natalie Royaards found the back of the net. The Eagles quickly doubled their lead as Royaards rippled the net four minutes later to double her team's lead.
The Bulldogs ultimately cut the deficit in half in the 31st minute as Snyder scored her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. Asheville was awarded a free kick, and senior forward Caroline Houser took the set piece. She laid the ball into the box, and after bouncing off several players, Emma Houser kicked the ball at the Winthrop goalkeeper, who redirected the shot. The ball went straight to Snyder who drilled the open net to make it a 2-1 match.
UNC Asheville was neck-and-neck with Winthrop, despite being down a goal, as the Bulldogs were only down 10-7 in total shots at half time.
The Eagles came out firing in the second half as Royaards found her third goal of the match as she earned her first career hat trick. The hat trick was the first time an Eagle has tallied a three-goal game since 2014.
Asheville didn't give in as Caroline Houser forced the Winthrop freshman goalkeeper – Ashlynn Harris - to make her first save of the second half in the 81st minute. The ball trickled away in the box, but an Eagle defender cleared the ball out of harm's way.
The Bulldogs were able to regain possession, and freshman Rachel Bewick drilled a shot on frame. However, the attempt was knocked down by the Eagle goalkeeper for her seventh total save of the match.
The Eagles scored the dagger in the 86th minute as team-leading goal scorer Allie Thomas scored her first goal of the match.
UNC Asheville drops to 6-7-1 overall and 2-3 in Big South Conference play. After picking up its second win at home this year, Winthrop advances to 5-7-1 overall and 2-4 in league play.
QUOTABLE
"Success is about establishing and implementing a rhythm no matter the location. We are a team that is very comfortable playing at home. We need to figure out a way to mentally compete in times of discomfort and in moments that are not our routine with regard to home games.
This is the most talented team we've had in eight seasons, and I think this game is a good wake-up call to remind ourselves that location has nothing to do with replicating a competitive mentality and implementing the game plan from the opening whistle.
I believe in this team and know they will regroup for each other. I look forward to watching their response not only in the next game but for the remaining conference games.
Credit to Winthrop for battling for 90 minutes and not taking its foot off the gas. They were the better side this evening."
- Head Coach Michelle Demko -
What's Next
The Bulldogs return to Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 14 as they host Longwood at Greenwood Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
BULLDOG BITES
How It Happened
The game's first goal was scored in the 26th minute as Winthrop's Natalie Royaards found the back of the net. The Eagles quickly doubled their lead as Royaards rippled the net four minutes later to double her team's lead.
The Bulldogs ultimately cut the deficit in half in the 31st minute as Snyder scored her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. Asheville was awarded a free kick, and senior forward Caroline Houser took the set piece. She laid the ball into the box, and after bouncing off several players, Emma Houser kicked the ball at the Winthrop goalkeeper, who redirected the shot. The ball went straight to Snyder who drilled the open net to make it a 2-1 match.
UNC Asheville was neck-and-neck with Winthrop, despite being down a goal, as the Bulldogs were only down 10-7 in total shots at half time.
The Eagles came out firing in the second half as Royaards found her third goal of the match as she earned her first career hat trick. The hat trick was the first time an Eagle has tallied a three-goal game since 2014.
Asheville didn't give in as Caroline Houser forced the Winthrop freshman goalkeeper – Ashlynn Harris - to make her first save of the second half in the 81st minute. The ball trickled away in the box, but an Eagle defender cleared the ball out of harm's way.
The Bulldogs were able to regain possession, and freshman Rachel Bewick drilled a shot on frame. However, the attempt was knocked down by the Eagle goalkeeper for her seventh total save of the match.
The Eagles scored the dagger in the 86th minute as team-leading goal scorer Allie Thomas scored her first goal of the match.
UNC Asheville drops to 6-7-1 overall and 2-3 in Big South Conference play. After picking up its second win at home this year, Winthrop advances to 5-7-1 overall and 2-4 in league play.
QUOTABLE
"Success is about establishing and implementing a rhythm no matter the location. We are a team that is very comfortable playing at home. We need to figure out a way to mentally compete in times of discomfort and in moments that are not our routine with regard to home games.
This is the most talented team we've had in eight seasons, and I think this game is a good wake-up call to remind ourselves that location has nothing to do with replicating a competitive mentality and implementing the game plan from the opening whistle.
I believe in this team and know they will regroup for each other. I look forward to watching their response not only in the next game but for the remaining conference games.
Credit to Winthrop for battling for 90 minutes and not taking its foot off the gas. They were the better side this evening."
- Head Coach Michelle Demko -
What's Next
The Bulldogs return to Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 14 as they host Longwood at Greenwood Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Team Stats
AVL
WINTHROP
Goals
1
4
Shots
13
18
Shots on Goal
8
10
Saves
6
7
Corners
0
3
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
ROYAARDS, Natalie
Assisted By: PALMER, Brianna
#16 thru ball from midfield, #24 runs pa
24:51
ROYAARDS, Natalie
Assisted By: PALMER, Brianna
#16 long ball RT to LT to #24, two-touch
28:43
SNYDER, Rachel
Assisted By: HOUSER, Emma
#3 intial shot saved, #19 rebound shot p
30:35
ROYAARDS, Natalie
Odd-angle shot off goalie chest and arms
47:32
THOMAS, Allie (2)
Assisted By: CONOVER, Zoe
#20 lays ball off from top of 18, #10 on
85:48
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
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