University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Sunday, August 20
Asheville, NC
1:00 PM
UNC Asheville
2-0
3
vs
2
Wofford
0-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOFW | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| UNC Asheville | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Bulldogs Score Three Straight Goals to Down Wofford 3-2 In Overtime
08.20.2017 | Women's Soccer
Naber nets a pair of goals, and Kurucz tallies her first collegiate goal
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Down 2-0 late in the second half, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team stunned Wofford 3-2 as the Bulldogs scored three unanswered goals including senior Courtney Naber's game-winner in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
BULLDOG BITES
How It Happened
Despite out-shooting Wofford 12-9 in the first half, the Terriers held a 1-0 advantage going into halftime. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to tie the match with 12 minutes remaining in the first half as Skyler Chillson took back-to-back shots on goal, but the Terrier goalkeeper made a pair of saves to keep Asheville scoreless.
In the 53rd minute, Terrier striker Hayley Younginer netted her second goal of the game, which gave her team the 2-0 advantage.
With only 14 minutes remaining in the match, Asheville found the back of the net to cut the lead in half. Emma Houser took a shot within the 18-yard box, but the strike found the leg of Naber, which redirected the ball into the left side of the net.
Wofford nearly put the game away in the 85th minute as Dani Segovia went one-on-one with Bryson Lee. Segovia took a shot, but the ball trickled wide left of the UNC Asheville net to keep it a 2-1 deficit for the Bulldogs.
Within one minute of the near game-ending goal, junior Alison Kurucz was fed a cross from Caroline Houser. The Fuquay-Varina, N.C. native curled the shot into the right side of the net to post the equalizer for the Bulldogs.
Knotted at 2-2, the Bulldogs and Terriers went to overtime for the first time this season for both teams.
With momentum on their side, the Bulldogs carried the advantage in the first golden-goal overtime. Taylor Barber forced a Terrier midfielder to turn the ball over, and the Blythewood, S.C. native dished a pass to Naber, who was around 25 yards out from goal. The senior connected with a laser that found the top left-hand corner to send the Bulldogs into eruption and seal the 3-2 comeback victory.
The last time the Bulldogs started the season 2-0 was in 2015, and Asheville continued its season to a 7-2 for one of the hottest starts since the program's inception.
Milestones
"How does it feel to start the season with back-to-back victories?"
Naber: "It's an awesome feeling starting off the season on a high note. It gives us a lot of confidence moving into the next two games against teams we haven't seen in the past. I'm excited to see what we can do the rest of the season.
"What was the mindset of the team after going down 2-0 and being able to respond with three straight goals?"
Naber: "We came together after the second goal and just reminded each other we still had plenty of time and to stay calm. We wanted to continue to play our game and keep pressuring their back line. That's what we did, and it seemed to work well."
"It's good to see multiple people scoring goals for the team because it keeps other teams on their toes. What's your thoughts on the well-balanced attack this year?"
Naber: "I think having people who are willing to work hard and continue to run even when they are tired is showing the direction our team wants to go. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile, and it's amazing."
"What are the main takeaways from today's game?"
Head coach Demko: "It was a hard-fought game today from both teams. I am really proud of the way we stayed together under pressure and didn't waiver even when we were down two goals. That is a nod to our senior leadership and confidence we give to each other. The energy and depth from the bench today was huge. We called upon every player to give us something in the game and that investment came through winning in overtime. I am proud of these student-athletes for the heart they have for each other and how they handled today's pressure. Sometimes sports is about finding a way to win while testing your grit and character at the same time. I believe we passed that test today. We will enjoy this one and get back at it to prepare for another pair of games next weekend."
What's Next
The Bulldogs continue their home stretch with a match versus North Florida on Aug. 25 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Greenwood Field. Following the match against the Ospreys, Asheville will travel to Jacksonville, Fla. to take on Jacksonville on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Down 2-0 late in the second half, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team stunned Wofford 3-2 as the Bulldogs scored three unanswered goals including senior Courtney Naber's game-winner in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
BULLDOG BITES
How It Happened
Despite out-shooting Wofford 12-9 in the first half, the Terriers held a 1-0 advantage going into halftime. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to tie the match with 12 minutes remaining in the first half as Skyler Chillson took back-to-back shots on goal, but the Terrier goalkeeper made a pair of saves to keep Asheville scoreless.
In the 53rd minute, Terrier striker Hayley Younginer netted her second goal of the game, which gave her team the 2-0 advantage.
With only 14 minutes remaining in the match, Asheville found the back of the net to cut the lead in half. Emma Houser took a shot within the 18-yard box, but the strike found the leg of Naber, which redirected the ball into the left side of the net.
Wofford nearly put the game away in the 85th minute as Dani Segovia went one-on-one with Bryson Lee. Segovia took a shot, but the ball trickled wide left of the UNC Asheville net to keep it a 2-1 deficit for the Bulldogs.
Within one minute of the near game-ending goal, junior Alison Kurucz was fed a cross from Caroline Houser. The Fuquay-Varina, N.C. native curled the shot into the right side of the net to post the equalizer for the Bulldogs.
Knotted at 2-2, the Bulldogs and Terriers went to overtime for the first time this season for both teams.
With momentum on their side, the Bulldogs carried the advantage in the first golden-goal overtime. Taylor Barber forced a Terrier midfielder to turn the ball over, and the Blythewood, S.C. native dished a pass to Naber, who was around 25 yards out from goal. The senior connected with a laser that found the top left-hand corner to send the Bulldogs into eruption and seal the 3-2 comeback victory.
The last time the Bulldogs started the season 2-0 was in 2015, and Asheville continued its season to a 7-2 for one of the hottest starts since the program's inception.
Milestones
- The goal from Kurucz was her first career goal at Asheville.
- Caroline Houser's assist on the game-tying goal tied her for the most career assists at UNC Asheville with Hilary McKay (22 assists).
- With the win, head coach Michelle Demko is now three wins away from 50 career victories.
- The Bulldogs are now 15-10 in program home openers.
- With a two-goal performance, it was Naber's first game of her career to net two goals.
"How does it feel to start the season with back-to-back victories?"
Naber: "It's an awesome feeling starting off the season on a high note. It gives us a lot of confidence moving into the next two games against teams we haven't seen in the past. I'm excited to see what we can do the rest of the season.
"What was the mindset of the team after going down 2-0 and being able to respond with three straight goals?"
Naber: "We came together after the second goal and just reminded each other we still had plenty of time and to stay calm. We wanted to continue to play our game and keep pressuring their back line. That's what we did, and it seemed to work well."
"It's good to see multiple people scoring goals for the team because it keeps other teams on their toes. What's your thoughts on the well-balanced attack this year?"
Naber: "I think having people who are willing to work hard and continue to run even when they are tired is showing the direction our team wants to go. Everyone is willing to go the extra mile, and it's amazing."
"What are the main takeaways from today's game?"
Head coach Demko: "It was a hard-fought game today from both teams. I am really proud of the way we stayed together under pressure and didn't waiver even when we were down two goals. That is a nod to our senior leadership and confidence we give to each other. The energy and depth from the bench today was huge. We called upon every player to give us something in the game and that investment came through winning in overtime. I am proud of these student-athletes for the heart they have for each other and how they handled today's pressure. Sometimes sports is about finding a way to win while testing your grit and character at the same time. I believe we passed that test today. We will enjoy this one and get back at it to prepare for another pair of games next weekend."
What's Next
The Bulldogs continue their home stretch with a match versus North Florida on Aug. 25 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Greenwood Field. Following the match against the Ospreys, Asheville will travel to Jacksonville, Fla. to take on Jacksonville on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.
%20(1).png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Team Stats
WOFW
AVL
Goals
2
3
Shots
17
22
Shots on Goal
6
13
Saves
10
4
Corners
7
5
Fouls
6
4
Scoring Plays
Hayley Younginer (1)
Assisted By: Emma Fletcher
long through ball, 1v1 middle net
15:52
Hayley Younginer (2)
carried ball into 18, drilled left side
52:10
NABER,Courtney (1)
Assisted By: HOUSER, Emma
GOAL by AVL NABER,Courtney, Assist by HOUSER, Emma, goal number 1 for season.
75:04
KURUCZ, Alison (1)
Assisted By: HOUSER, Caroline
cross from 4, 14 right side of the net
85:48
NABER,Courtney (2)
Assisted By: BARBER, Taylor
turnover created by 20, 22 top left from
93:37
Game Leaders
Shots
6
SOG
4
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerMonday, October 30
Monday, October 23
Monday, October 23
Monday, October 09