University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
5-10-1, 4-4-0
Winthrop
6-7-2, 4-5-1
Women's Soccer scores big victory at Winthrop
10.20.2021 | Women's Soccer
ROCK HILL, S.C. – With the Big South schedule winding down, the UNC Asheville women's soccer team visited Winthrop on Wednesday night, scoring a big 4-1 victory over the Eagles to keep Asheville's postseason hopes alive.
Taylor Gardner continued her stellar freshman campaign, opening the scoring in the 15th, while Madison Carter doubled the lead in the 36th. In the second, Ava Nkadi registered the first goal of her career, while Kaiya Boyd tacked on a fourth in the 86th. Seven of the nine shots were on frame for Asheville, with Carter, Nkadi and Grace Sloan handing out assists.
Tournament Aspirations
With the win, Asheville improves to 5-10-1 overall and are an even 4-4 in conference play. The victory helped keep the chase for the Big South Tournament alive for the Bulldogs, as they sit three points back of current fourth-place Charleston Southern (15), and just one point back of Radford and Winthrop (13), now owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Eagles. Winthrop falls to 4-5-1 in conference play and 6-7-2 overall.
"It was a real complete team performance tonight," said head coach Andy McNab. "We were strong defensively, won battles in the midfield and were clinical up top."
The Game at a Glance
- Gardner scores for second straight game, fifth goal of the season
- O'Malley picks up five saves, fifth win of season
- Carter, Boyd score second goals of season
- Nkadi dishes out assist, scores first career goal
- Asheville nets four goals for the second time this season
- Four wins in Big South play are the most since 2016
How it Happened
It was Winthrop that threatened first, but a pair of shots were blocked by the Bulldog defense. In the 14th, Lindie Clark fired a shot high, but minutes later Gardner took a throw in from Nkadi just past midfield, turned and dribbled towards the box, rocketing a shot to the left upper 90 for her fifth goal of the game. In the middle part of the half, the Eagles looked to equalize but Courtney O'Malley was there to turn two shots away to preserve the lead. In the 36th minute, Carter took the ball on the right side and ripped a shot to double up the Asheville lead. Just before half, Winthrop threatened but O'Malley was there once again to tip the ball over the crossbar as the teams went into the break.
The Bulldogs picked up where they left off in the second, as a beautiful buildup from near midfield resulted in a rebound goal from Nkadi. Winthrop would not give up, pulling one back in the 81st with a goal from Angelica Castro. The Bulldogs responded minutes later, as Sloan played a ball up the middle and Boyd outraced the defense to put the finishing touches on the game, scoring her second goal of the season.
"To have four different scorers was fantastic," said McNab. "It was a testament to the team performance. What we saw tonight what we want our identity to be and hopefully we can replicate that moving forward."
What's Next
The Bulldogs return home this Saturday for their senior day, hosting Longwood at 5:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Taylor Gardner (5)
Assisted By: Ava Nkadi
GOAL by ASH Gardner, Taylor Assist by Nkadi, Ava.
14:49
Madison Carter (2)
GOAL by ASH Carter, Madison.
35:30
Ava Nkadi (1)
Assisted By: Madison Carter
GOAL by ASH Nkadi, Ava Assist by Carter, Madison.
53:33
Angelica Castro (2)
Assisted By: Katy Feskorn , Anna Kate Highsmith
GOAL by WIN Castro, Angelica Assist by Feskorn, Katy and Highsmith, Anna Kate.
80:12
Kaiya Boyd (2)
Assisted By: Grace Sloan
GOAL by ASH Boyd, Kaiya Assist by Sloan, Grace.
85:34
