University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-2-0, 0-0-0
Belmont
1-2-0, 0-0-0
Men’s soccer edged out 1-0 at Belmont
09.02.2021 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville Men's Soccer team visited Belmont on Thursday evening, coming up just short as the Bruins struck in the 73rd to take the competitive contest 1-0.
Although Belmont outshot Asheville (11-4), the teams were evenly matched much of the night, with the Bruins breaking through when Michael Saunders was able to fire a shot that was deflected into the upper 90 for the lone score of the game. Asheville drops to 1-2 on the young season, while Belmont improves to
"Tough one to take tonight. The boys worked exceptionally hard and emptied out their tanks which is exactly what we asked of them," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mick Giordano. "To lose on a deflected shot always makes it difficult to take but ultimately we lost to a good Belmont group that is extremely well coached."
The Game at a Glance
- Conor Behan registers three of four shots for Asheville
- Belmont's Michael Saunders strikes in 73rd
- Leon Musial picks up three saves on the night
How it Happened
The Bruins registered the first shot of the night when Jack Shaw put one on frame that Musial collected. Saunders challenged Musial in the 13th followed by and Eric Stiles shot, but the sophomore from Germany turned away both chances. Behan fired a shot wide in the 22nd before Larsen Hackworth had a chance in the 27th. The teams traded chances from there, but went into the break 0-0.
The Bulldogs earned a corner right out of the gate in the second, but neither team would have a scoring chance until the 64th when Eric Stiles fired a shot wide. In the 73rd, Niccolo Dagnoni played the ball to Saunders on the left side who worked his way to the top of the box and curled a shot that got deflected in for the score. In the 84th, Behan forced Drew Romig to make a diving save and the Bruins were able to run out the clock for the win.
"We have to continue to find ways to push for that extra one percent within our group and make our own luck while sticking together," Giordano said. "That, however, falls on myself to get sorted as the boys and staff have been tremendous. It was a difficult week, but we got better from it and must continue to give absolutely everything we have - make our own luck and take fate into our own hands as we continue to learn every day. We were a good version of ourselves tonight but now need to be a great version of ourselves tomorrow and then repeat those habits. 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."
What's Next
UNC Asheville has a few days off before traveling to Georgia State on Tuesday. Kick is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Michael Saunders (1)
Assisted By: Niccolo Dagnoni
GOAL by BEL Saunders, Michael Assist by Dagnoni, Niccolo.
72:54
