University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, September 28
Spartanburg, SC
7:30 PM
UNC Asheville
2-6-1, 1-0-0
1
at
0
USC Upstate
1-6-0, 0-1-0
1
2
F
UNC Asheville
0
1
1
USC Upstate
0
0
0
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Bulldogs Open Big South Play with First Shutout of Season
09.28.2019 | Men's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNC Asheville's men's soccer team earned a road victory in its first Big South Conference matchup of the season, defeating USC Upstate, 1-0, Saturday night at County University Soccer Stadium.
Sophomore Nate Evans scored his first goal of the season and the second of his career in the 56th minute, collecting a pass from Colin Daughtry and putting one past the keeper for the lone goal of the match.
The Bulldogs (2-6-1, 1-0 Big South) recorded their first shutout of the season, despite being outshot by the Spartans (1-6, 0-1 Big South). Freshman Jarrett Payne recorded the first shutout of his young career and added another eight saves to his season total, saving four shots in each half.
The Bulldogs were aggressive in the first 15 minutes of the second half, getting off three shots after recording only two in the first half. Evan Lewis had a shot just 30 seconds into the second frame, and Daughtry forced a save on a shot in the 61st minute.
The first scoring opportunity for the Bulldogs came during the 30th minute when Noe Varner put one on frame that forced a diving save from the Spartans' goalkeeper.
The Bulldogs return to action against High Point in a 6 p.m., Wednesday contest as the second match in a double header at Greenwood Field.
Â
MENNELL'S MUSINGS
"It was a great team win and a fantastic job by the staff and the players. I couldn't be prouder of the effort from everyone in preparing on short rest. It was a Big South Conference game, so of course it's going to be very topsy turvy. I thought Upstate was very good tonight, and we were maybe a little fortunate that they didn't finish some of their chances, but our guys showed great resilience and great character. We talked about getting back to the things we do well, and overall I think we played OK in terms of what we're capable of, but in terms of the tangible part of the game – the effort, the grind, the grittiness, just being resolute in the approach and finding a way to win – I give our team top marks. It was a good performance and we'll enjoy this on the way back to Asheville, and then we're on to High Point."
Sophomore Nate Evans scored his first goal of the season and the second of his career in the 56th minute, collecting a pass from Colin Daughtry and putting one past the keeper for the lone goal of the match.
The Bulldogs (2-6-1, 1-0 Big South) recorded their first shutout of the season, despite being outshot by the Spartans (1-6, 0-1 Big South). Freshman Jarrett Payne recorded the first shutout of his young career and added another eight saves to his season total, saving four shots in each half.
The Bulldogs were aggressive in the first 15 minutes of the second half, getting off three shots after recording only two in the first half. Evan Lewis had a shot just 30 seconds into the second frame, and Daughtry forced a save on a shot in the 61st minute.
The first scoring opportunity for the Bulldogs came during the 30th minute when Noe Varner put one on frame that forced a diving save from the Spartans' goalkeeper.
The Bulldogs return to action against High Point in a 6 p.m., Wednesday contest as the second match in a double header at Greenwood Field.
Â
MENNELL'S MUSINGS
"It was a great team win and a fantastic job by the staff and the players. I couldn't be prouder of the effort from everyone in preparing on short rest. It was a Big South Conference game, so of course it's going to be very topsy turvy. I thought Upstate was very good tonight, and we were maybe a little fortunate that they didn't finish some of their chances, but our guys showed great resilience and great character. We talked about getting back to the things we do well, and overall I think we played OK in terms of what we're capable of, but in terms of the tangible part of the game – the effort, the grind, the grittiness, just being resolute in the approach and finding a way to win – I give our team top marks. It was a good performance and we'll enjoy this on the way back to Asheville, and then we're on to High Point."
Team Stats
AVL
SCU
Goals
1
0
Shots
5
23
Shots on Goal
3
8
Saves
8
2
Corners
0
5
Fouls
14
5
Scoring Plays
EVANS, Nate (1)
Assisted By: DAUGHTRY, Colin
GOAL by AVL EVANS, Nate (FIRST GOAL), Assist by DAUGHTRY, Colin, goal number 1 for season.
55:02
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
D/MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerHighlights || Men's Soccer || #2 UNC Asheville at #1 High Point (Big South Championship)
Monday, November 13
Highlights || Men's Soccer || #2 UNC Asheville vs #3 Winthrop (Big South Championship Semifinal)
Monday, November 06
Highlights || Men's Soccer || UNC Asheville vs USC Upstate
Monday, November 06
Highlights || Men's Soccer || UNC Asheville at Winthrop
Monday, October 30