University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, September 7
Asheville, NC
6:00 PM
UNC Asheville
1-1-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
2
Georgia State
2-0-0, 0-0-0
1
2
3
4
F
Georgia St.
0
2
0
0
2
UNC Asheville
2
0
0
0
2
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Bulldogs Battle Georgia State to Draw on Senior Day
09.07.2019 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE – UNC Asheville celebrated its seniors prior to its match against Georgia State, but a freshman stole the show as the Bulldogs battled the Panthers to a 2-2 draw, Saturday night at Greenwood Field.
The Bulldogs (1-1-1) shot out of the gate like a cannon, getting on the board in less than 40 seconds as senior Luiz Felipe Dantas found Colin Daughtry for his first goal of the season. The fans had barely had a chance to take their seats before they were up and cheering.
Another senior would come up big, as Dino Dziergas weaved his way through defenders, dribbling all the way from beyond midfield and putting a shot on frame that snuck past the keeper for a 2-0 Bulldogs lead in the 18th minute.
The Panthers (2-0-1) then started to find a rhythm, and the talented squad began attacking the Bulldogs relentlessly with crisp passing and perfectly timed runs. Their best chance to get on the board in the first half came on a penalty called on the Bulldogs in the box that set the Panthers up with a penalty kick.
Enter freshman goalkeeper Jarrett Payne.
The rookie steadied his nerves and took the challenge with confidence. As the Panthers' Frank Rosenwald sent a screamer to Payne's left, Payne dove with full extension and punched the ball away to help preserve a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The Panthers quality on offense shined through in the second half, though, as Rosenwald got the team on the board in the 55th minute, and Aris Briggs leveled the match with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation.
None of that to take away from what Payne did on the night stepping up time and again to squash the Panther attack. The freshman ended the night with 17 saves.
The teams played two tense overtime periods, but neither team had great chances to score, as each recorded two shots during the 20 minutes of extra playing time.
Honoring the Seniors
Prior to the match, Kyle Adams, Luiz Felipe Dantas, Dino Dziergas, Austin Howard and Frank Morales, along with student manager A.J. Massagee, we're honored on the field with their families, friends and teammates by their sides.
Mennell's Musings
On the intensity of the match:
"It was a tale of two halves. I thought we started the game pretty brightly. If you watch the game, Georgia State had the majority of the chances in the second half and I thought they were the more dangerous team. That being said, I thought we had chances to put it away. Georgia State is a really good team and won their conference championship last year, so to me that's a good result for us. There's a lot to be gained from the result, but there's also a lot of stuff we could have been sharper about, then maybe we don't let it get drawn to 2-2. For Jarrett Payne to save a penalty in such a key moment for a freshman is huge, and just the general youth of our team, I was really pleased. Disappointed not to win, for sure, but I thought we fought very hard."
On Senior Day:
"These guys have been great. The first goal from Colin, Luiz Dantas is involved in that play. I thought the seniors we're quite good. For Dino to go and get a goal on senior day is great. I think that Senior Day is always an emotional event and it is always draining and takes so much out of you. That was one of the reasons we wanted to do Senior Day earlier in the year so we could celebrate their final year here at UNC Asheville, but also to get it out of the way. I think this was very positive experience and a tradition I think we'll continue."
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The Bulldogs (1-1-1) shot out of the gate like a cannon, getting on the board in less than 40 seconds as senior Luiz Felipe Dantas found Colin Daughtry for his first goal of the season. The fans had barely had a chance to take their seats before they were up and cheering.
Another senior would come up big, as Dino Dziergas weaved his way through defenders, dribbling all the way from beyond midfield and putting a shot on frame that snuck past the keeper for a 2-0 Bulldogs lead in the 18th minute.
The Panthers (2-0-1) then started to find a rhythm, and the talented squad began attacking the Bulldogs relentlessly with crisp passing and perfectly timed runs. Their best chance to get on the board in the first half came on a penalty called on the Bulldogs in the box that set the Panthers up with a penalty kick.
Enter freshman goalkeeper Jarrett Payne.
The rookie steadied his nerves and took the challenge with confidence. As the Panthers' Frank Rosenwald sent a screamer to Payne's left, Payne dove with full extension and punched the ball away to help preserve a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The Panthers quality on offense shined through in the second half, though, as Rosenwald got the team on the board in the 55th minute, and Aris Briggs leveled the match with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation.
None of that to take away from what Payne did on the night stepping up time and again to squash the Panther attack. The freshman ended the night with 17 saves.
The teams played two tense overtime periods, but neither team had great chances to score, as each recorded two shots during the 20 minutes of extra playing time.
Honoring the Seniors
Prior to the match, Kyle Adams, Luiz Felipe Dantas, Dino Dziergas, Austin Howard and Frank Morales, along with student manager A.J. Massagee, we're honored on the field with their families, friends and teammates by their sides.
Mennell's Musings
On the intensity of the match:
"It was a tale of two halves. I thought we started the game pretty brightly. If you watch the game, Georgia State had the majority of the chances in the second half and I thought they were the more dangerous team. That being said, I thought we had chances to put it away. Georgia State is a really good team and won their conference championship last year, so to me that's a good result for us. There's a lot to be gained from the result, but there's also a lot of stuff we could have been sharper about, then maybe we don't let it get drawn to 2-2. For Jarrett Payne to save a penalty in such a key moment for a freshman is huge, and just the general youth of our team, I was really pleased. Disappointed not to win, for sure, but I thought we fought very hard."
On Senior Day:
"These guys have been great. The first goal from Colin, Luiz Dantas is involved in that play. I thought the seniors we're quite good. For Dino to go and get a goal on senior day is great. I think that Senior Day is always an emotional event and it is always draining and takes so much out of you. That was one of the reasons we wanted to do Senior Day earlier in the year so we could celebrate their final year here at UNC Asheville, but also to get it out of the way. I think this was very positive experience and a tradition I think we'll continue."
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Team Stats
GSU
AVL
Goals
2
2
Shots
34
10
Shots on Goal
20
4
Saves
2
17
Corners
10
1
Fouls
7
18
Scoring Plays
DAUGHTRY, Colin (1)
Assisted By: DANTAS, Luiz Felipe
GOAL by AVL DAUGHTRY, Colin (FIRST GOAL), Assist by DANTAS, Luiz Felipe, goal number 1 for season.
0:39
DZIERGAS, Dino (1)
GOAL by AVL DZIERGAS, Dino, goal number 1 for season.
17:35
Rosenwald, Frank (1)
Assisted By: Finnie, Ross
GOAL by GSU Rosenwald, Frank, Assist by Finnie, Ross, goal number 1 for season.
54:32
Briggs, Aris (5)
Assisted By: Morris, Dylan
GOAL by GSU Briggs, Aris, Assist by Morris, Dylan, goal number 5 for season.
83:12
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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