Men’s soccer welcomes Northern Kentucky to open Fall 2021 season Thursday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's soccer team opens up its Fall 2021 season on Thursday, welcoming Northern Kentucky to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Greenwood Field.

Back so Soon
Due to COVID, UNC Asheville Men's Soccer competed in the spring of 2021, having its most successful Big South season in recent memory. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 3-4-1 overall, playing only conference foes, and earned a trip to the Big South Semifinal for the first time since 2008. Although the Bulldogs would ultimately fall at nationally-ranked High Point in overtime, the Big South Tournament appearance was also the program's first since 2016.

Interim no More
After the success of the spring 2021 season, interim head coach Mick Giordano was officially promoted to Head Men's Soccer Coach at UNC Asheville on June 4. A 2013 alum of the program, Giordano joined the Bulldogs staff 2018 in as an assistant before being named the interim head coach prior to last season.

Familiar Faces
The Bulldogs should be in a good position to build upon last season, returning 23 rostered players from the spring campaign. Miles Peay, Colin Daughtry and Conor Behan figure to be three key returners for Asheville, combining for four goals and nine assists in the spring. After ranking third in Division I with 0.78 assists per game (seven total), Miles Peay earned First Team All-Big South honors, while Behan and fellow rookie Leon Musial were named to the Big South All-Freshman Team. Behan netted two goals and dished out an assist last season, while Musial led the league in saves (36) and saves per game (4.0).

Scouting the Norse
Like Asheville, Thursday will be the official season opener for Northern Kentucky. The Norse have had three exhibition matches this season, topping Georgetown College but falling to Bellarmine and Kentucky. Northern Kentucky, which also competed in the spring of 2021 due to Covid, is coming off a very strong season in which it went 7-2 to claim the Horizon League Regular Season Championship, ultimately falling to Milwaukee in the championship. The Norse were selected No. 4 in the Horizon League Coaches Preseason Poll but return their top three scorers in Dylan Bufton (five goals), Deryn Armstrong (three goals) and Sam Robinson (two goals).

Series History
Northern Kentucky and Asheville have played just twice since 2013, with the Norse narrowly taking both contests 2-1 and 2-0. The two teams last met in Highland Heights, Kentucky in 2014 (0-2).

Admission & COVID Protocols
Admission to Thursday's match, along with all men's and women's soccer matches this season is free! Due to the prevalence of COVID in the greater Buncombe County Area, UNC Asheville Athletics asks spectators to please mask up and practice social distancing. We also encourage spectators to bring water and snacks as the concessions will be closed. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff at the Field Drive entrance only.

SoccerGameday