University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Thursday, March 11
Radford, VA
4:00 p.m.
UNC Asheville
2-1-1, 2-1-1
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at
1
Radford
2-3-1, 1-2-1
1
2
3
4
F
UNC Asheville
1
0
0
0
1
Radford
1
0
0
0
1
Photo Courtesy of Radford Athletics
Men’s soccer battles Radford to a 1-1 draw on Thursday
03.11.2021 | Men's Soccer
RADFORD, Va. – The UNC Asheville men's soccer team traveled to Radford for a Big South Clash on Thursday, tying the Highlanders 1-1 after 110 minutes of play.
"As we look back on tonight, there are a few moments we left on the table and others where we weren't quite sharp enough as a group," said head coach Mick Giordano. "That is a good Radford team which shouldn't be overlooked. They got after us and really made it difficult today."
Where they Stand
The tie is the first of the year for the Bulldogs, and their 2-1-1 record is the best start for the program since 2003. The loss drops Radford to 1-2-1, as Asheville currently sits in third place in the Big South standings.
"We will certainly look at the positive of gaining seven points from the first four games," Giordano said. "Our effort and reactions to counter-press were fantastic once again."
Notable Numbers
After a pair of games on the road, the Bulldogs return home for their next two, beginning with USC Upstate on Sunday, March 21.
"We need to learn from our mistakes, gain more experience and as a staff prepare even better than what we did tonight for another big match on the 21st," said Giordano.
How it Happened
Asheville wasted little time getting on the board, as Miles Peay played a ball to Nate Evans who buried the shot to make the score 1-0 in the eighth minute. The Highlanders were quick to respond however, evening the match in the 12th via a goal by Juan Benavides. In the 19th minute, Taylor Durall registered a shot that was saved by Joseba Incera. Moments later, Musial would turn away a Radford opportunity as the Bulldogs pushed for their second goal, getting opportunities from Conor Behan, Durall and Noe Varmer, but the teams went into the break gridlocked at 1-1.
Radford came out of the gates hard in the second, getting two quick corners and a shot in roughly the first five minutes. In the 68th minute, Wes Ferry ripped a shot that hit the frame and bounced wide. The Highlanders added two more shots as time dwindled in the second, but neither were on target. With less than 30 seconds to play in the half, Ferry would get a chance at the game-winner but pushed the shot just wide as the teams went to overtime.
In the 91st, Radford worked its way into Asheville territory, but Musial was there to turn two shots away and keep the game tied at 1-1 as the sides went to their second overtime. In the last 10 minutes of play, the Highlanders would muster two shots but neither were on target as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
"As we look back on tonight, there are a few moments we left on the table and others where we weren't quite sharp enough as a group," said head coach Mick Giordano. "That is a good Radford team which shouldn't be overlooked. They got after us and really made it difficult today."
Where they Stand
The tie is the first of the year for the Bulldogs, and their 2-1-1 record is the best start for the program since 2003. The loss drops Radford to 1-2-1, as Asheville currently sits in third place in the Big South standings.
"We will certainly look at the positive of gaining seven points from the first four games," Giordano said. "Our effort and reactions to counter-press were fantastic once again."
Notable Numbers
- Nate Evans scores his first goal of the season
- Miles Peay dishes out assist in fourth straight game
- Both teams total 15 shots, seven on frame
- Leon Musial sets another career-high with six saves
After a pair of games on the road, the Bulldogs return home for their next two, beginning with USC Upstate on Sunday, March 21.
"We need to learn from our mistakes, gain more experience and as a staff prepare even better than what we did tonight for another big match on the 21st," said Giordano.
How it Happened
Asheville wasted little time getting on the board, as Miles Peay played a ball to Nate Evans who buried the shot to make the score 1-0 in the eighth minute. The Highlanders were quick to respond however, evening the match in the 12th via a goal by Juan Benavides. In the 19th minute, Taylor Durall registered a shot that was saved by Joseba Incera. Moments later, Musial would turn away a Radford opportunity as the Bulldogs pushed for their second goal, getting opportunities from Conor Behan, Durall and Noe Varmer, but the teams went into the break gridlocked at 1-1.
Radford came out of the gates hard in the second, getting two quick corners and a shot in roughly the first five minutes. In the 68th minute, Wes Ferry ripped a shot that hit the frame and bounced wide. The Highlanders added two more shots as time dwindled in the second, but neither were on target. With less than 30 seconds to play in the half, Ferry would get a chance at the game-winner but pushed the shot just wide as the teams went to overtime.
In the 91st, Radford worked its way into Asheville territory, but Musial was there to turn two shots away and keep the game tied at 1-1 as the sides went to their second overtime. In the last 10 minutes of play, the Highlanders would muster two shots but neither were on target as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Team Stats
UNCA
RADM
Goals
1
1
Shots
16
15
Shots on Goal
8
7
Saves
6
6
Corners
2
5
Fouls
13
12
Scoring Plays
Nate Evans (1)
Assisted By: Miles Peay
GOAL by UNCA Evans, Nate Assist by Peay, Miles.
07:50
Juan Benavides (1)
GOAL by RADM Benavides, Juan.
11:55
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
mid
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
W/F
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