University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-0-0, 0-0-0
Northern Kentucky
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Men’s soccer holds on for 3-2 win over Northern Kentucky
08.26.2021 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville Men's Soccer team opened up its Fall 2021 season on Thursday, topping Northern Kentucky 3-2 at Greenwood Field.
Freshman Jarron James wasted little time making an impact, putting the Bulldogs ahead in the 14th minute with his first career goal. Coming out of the break, Asheville went up 2-0 via an own goal, pushing the lead to 3-0 when Conor Behan found the back of the net. The Norse would battle back, getting two goals from Jesse Randall, but the Bulldogs ultimately held on to start their season 1-0. The victory marks the first time Asheville has won back-to-back season openers since 2003-04.
"Wonderful way for the guys to start the season. They have worked extremely hard for this moment and sacrificed so much," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mick Giordano. "While it was nowhere near perfect, or the finished product, the staff is extremely pleased with our boys and how many chances we created. Now just to learn from the tight moments of the game, continue our fitness and keep trending upwards. Ultimately, that is all that matters."
The Game at a Glance
- First time Asheville has won consecutive season openers since 2003-04
- Bulldogs outshoot Northern Kentucky 15-10, eight shots on frame
- Jarron James fires six shots, three on frame with one goal scored in debut
- Musial picks up four saves in win, Behan registers goal
How it Happened
The Bulldogs threatened first when Jake Kemhadjian fired a shot that was blocked in the seventh. Minutes later, Behan played the ball up to Kemhadjian who found James for the first goal of the season. The teams traded corners midway through the fist, with Kemhadjian registering another shot on frame. After Mason Cookus tested Northern Kentucky's Daniel Bermingham, the Norse put the pressure on, forcing a pair of saves from Leon Musial just before break.
The Bulldogs applied pressure right out of the break, causing an own goal from Northern Kentucky just seconds into the half. After the Norse created a pair of shots and three corners, Asheville's Behan would collect a loose ball, dribble in and bury the third goal of the game for the Bulldogs. In the 63rd, Behan nearly made it 4-0, ringing the post with a shot. James continued to press, firing two more shots with a third hitting the left post.
The Norse fought back, striking in the 82nd when Jesse Randall dribbled in from the left and sent a right footer home to make the deficit two. Energized, Northern Kentucky kept the pressure up, forcing a foul in the box that Randall would convert to make the score 3-2 with just over five minutes to play. With the Norse looking to force overtime, Musial won a pair of challenges in the air, helping the Bulldogs hold on for the victory.
"Once again, so proud of our group and excited to start off in a promising way," Giordano said. "Thank you to every single person at UNC Asheville that made today possible and thank you to the great fans we had providing an exciting atmosphere for a midday kickoff."
What's Next
UNC Asheville hits the road for its next contest, traveling to N.C. State on Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Jarron James (1)
Assisted By: Jake Kemhadjian , Conor Behan
GOAL by AVL James, Jarron Assist by Kemhadjian, Jake and Behan, Conor.
13:19
0
GOAL by AVL TEAM.
45:11
Conor Behan (1)
GOAL by AVL Behan, Conor.
56:27
Jesse Randall (1)
Assisted By: Ryan Godding
GOAL by NKU Randall, Jesse Assist by Godding, Ryan.
81:11
Jesse Randall (1)
NKU Jesse Randall PENALTY KICK GOAL.
84:52
