Despite Late Goal, Bulldogs Drop Match to Radford

ASHEVILLE – Freshman Noe Varner notched his first-career goal, but UNC Asheville's men's soccer team fell, 2-1, to Radford, Saturday, at Greenwood Field.

In the 83rd minute, Varner positioned himself in the middle of the box and headed home a precise cross in from Austin Howard. In addition to Varner's first goal, it was also Howard's first assist of the season. The goal made the score 2-1, but the Bulldogs (3-8-1, 2-2 Big South) were unable to net the equalizer in the match's final seven minutes.

The Highlanders (3-7-2, 1-3 Big South) got an early goal from Pape Oumar Gueye, who collected a rebound from about 30 yards out and fired one into the left corner from distance to give Radford a 1-0 lead in the match.

Sophomore Izaiah Vignali had a great opportunity to equalize in the 16th minute after a run along the left side, but his strike was saved off the left corner of the crossbar. Junior Tyson Hichman gained control of the rebound, but his ensuing shot was blocked.

Vignali had another solid attempt from distance in the 22nd minute, but his shot found the awaiting arms of Radford's keeper.

The Highlanders added to their lead in the 39th minute after Gueye delivered a perfectly placed corner to the right side of the goal that Octavio Ocampo headed home to make the halftime advantage 2-0.

There weren't many scoring chances for either side in the first 30 minute of the second half, but freshman goalkeeper Jarrett Payne had a tremendous effort to keep the match within reach, saving a point-blank attempt from Radford's Mouhameth Thiam over the crossbar in the 74th minute. He had another save on Thiam three minutes later.

Prior to Varner's goal, Colin Daughtry nearly got the Bulldogs on the board in the 80th minute with a powerful effort from distance, but Radford's keeper kept the ball out of the net with a full-extension diving save to his right.

The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday, October 19, in the second game of a home doubleheader when they take on Campbell at 6 p.m.

MENNELL'S MUSINGS
"In the second half, we endeavored to be better. We got a goal, but we got it a little bit late. We showed that when you get the positive possession and you get to goal, we can be a really good team. We just spent most of the first half just being really lackadaisical. We played a team that was quite honestly playing for their Big South lives. To go through our conference at 2-2 at the halfway point is decent, but we have arguably the best team in the conference coming in next Saturday, so we have a big ask. We have to make sure we get our bodies right, learn from this, get better, and we're on to Campbell." – Head Coach Mathes Mennell

Despite Late Goal, Bulldogs Drop Match to Radford

Next Event

Team Stats

Noe Varner

Austin Howard

Izaiah Vignali

Tyson Hichman

Players Mentioned

Colin Daughtry

Tyson Hichman

Austin Howard

Jarrett Payne

Noe Varner

Izaiah Vignali

Players Mentioned

Colin Daughtry

Tyson Hichman

Austin Howard

Jarrett Payne

Noe Varner

Izaiah Vignali

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics