University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-14-1, 0-8-0
High Point
7-6-3, 5-0-3
Men’s soccer hangs tough with High Point but narrowly falls 1-0
11.03.2021 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's soccer team hosted High Point in its regular season finale on Wednesday night, hanging tough but conceding a goal late in the second half to fall 1-0 to the No. 2-seeded Panthers.
The teams matched each other with opportunities for the most part, but in the 81st the Panthers would cash in on a counter attack and hold off Asheville for the win.
"Really proud of our guys," said head coach Mick Giordano. "Really proud of the effort. Played a real strong game, but unfortunately had a lapse that High Point took advantage of. Outside of that moment, we were the best version of ourselves tonight."
The Bulldogs would start the match in a different but similar fashion, as number 28 Taylor Durall would start the game and sub out after the opening kick.
"A special thanks to High Point for allowing us to honor Taylor at the start of the match," said Giordano. "Pure class from their staff and players."
The Game at a Glance
- Asheville's Durall makes final appearance for program
- Bulldogs register 11 total shots
- Leon Musial matches career high with eight saves
- Nate Evans, Jake Kemhadjian each total shots on frame
How it Happened
The Bulldogs opened up with the first two shots and a corner before the Panthers responded with two corners of their own. In the waning minutes of the half, Mason Cookus pushed a shot wide and Evans forced a save from Holden Trent as the teams went into the break scoreless.
Musial showed his brilliance in the second half, totaling seven saves in the last 45 minutes of play, including a pair of shots that he tipped over the crossbar. In the 72nd, Izzy Garcia, who had missed time due to injury, curled a free kick just wide. When Evans placed a shot on frame in the 81st, the Panthers collected the ball and worked all the way down the field for a two-on-one score. Conor Behan and Andrew Rossetti garnered chances, but Asheville could not convert as High Point took the match 1-0.
Closing the Book
The game wraps up the season for UNC Asheville, ending at 1-14-1 overall and 0-8-0 in Big South play. High Point improves to 7-6-3 and 5-0-3 in conference play, securing the No. 2 seed going into the upcoming Big South Tournament.
Team Stats
Alex Abril (4)
Assisted By: Sebastian Chalbaud
GOAL by HPU Abril, Alex Assist by Chalbaud, Sebastian.
80:40
