University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, September 24
Asheville, N.C.
6 pm
UNC Asheville
1-6-2, 0-0-1
2
vs
2
Gardner-Webb
4-2-2, 0-0-2
1
2
F
Gardner-Webb
2
0
2
UNC Asheville
1
1
2
Bulldogs begin Big South play with a 2-2 draw vs. Gardner-Webb
09.24.2022 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's soccer team battled rival Gardner-Webb to a 2-2 tie Saturday evening at Greenwood Field. With Saturday's draw, the Bulldogs move to 1-6-2 overall and 0-0-1 in Big South play.
"Tonight was a fantastic environment for a college game," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mick Giordano. "Our staff but especially Joe LaCasto and Kyle McCurley were terrific in our prep work and in game changes. We are extremely proud of our boys but especially happy with our second half in front of our huge alumni crowd. The football played was the brand we expect daily from our group. Gardner-Webb is a well coached and talented team so we will take the point to start Big South play. Now we have to build on it and turn this momentum into more success. I'd like to thank all of the alumni for making it a special day and returning to campus. It is always a great day when we can bring back six different generations of Bulldog soccer to Greenwood."
The Bulldogs began Saturday's match with a flurry of chances in front of the Gardner-Webb goal as they had four corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. Despite the amount of chances, no goals were scored in the opening 10 minutes.
Asheville would get on the board first, however, as Sam Pitts-Eckersall netted his fourth goal of the season after receiving a pass from Sam Presser in the 24th minute.
The two teams continued to jostle for the advantage for the rest of the first half. Gardner-Webb broke through to take its first lead of the night with a goal in the 42nd minute from Owen Zaldivar.
Facing its first deficit of the match, Asheville kept battling the Runnin' Bulldogs as the second half wore on. A key corner kick was awarded to the Bulldogs with about 15 minutes to go. Brendan Herb placed a perfect pass into the box and Griffin Stidham headed it past the keeper to tie the score at 2-2. The goal was Stidham's first as a Bulldog.
Asheville will step back out of conference play for its next match as it will visit College of Charleston on Tuesday for its final non-conference match of the season. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.
"Tonight was a fantastic environment for a college game," said UNC Asheville Head Coach Mick Giordano. "Our staff but especially Joe LaCasto and Kyle McCurley were terrific in our prep work and in game changes. We are extremely proud of our boys but especially happy with our second half in front of our huge alumni crowd. The football played was the brand we expect daily from our group. Gardner-Webb is a well coached and talented team so we will take the point to start Big South play. Now we have to build on it and turn this momentum into more success. I'd like to thank all of the alumni for making it a special day and returning to campus. It is always a great day when we can bring back six different generations of Bulldog soccer to Greenwood."
The Bulldogs began Saturday's match with a flurry of chances in front of the Gardner-Webb goal as they had four corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. Despite the amount of chances, no goals were scored in the opening 10 minutes.
Asheville would get on the board first, however, as Sam Pitts-Eckersall netted his fourth goal of the season after receiving a pass from Sam Presser in the 24th minute.
Gardner-Webb promptly answered back though as it found the tying goal a minute later with a goal from Sabri Tajiti.GOOOOAAL!! Sam Pitts-Eckersall puts the Bulldogs up early, 1-0.#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/LwzyGPasZm
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) September 24, 2022
The two teams continued to jostle for the advantage for the rest of the first half. Gardner-Webb broke through to take its first lead of the night with a goal in the 42nd minute from Owen Zaldivar.
Facing its first deficit of the match, Asheville kept battling the Runnin' Bulldogs as the second half wore on. A key corner kick was awarded to the Bulldogs with about 15 minutes to go. Brendan Herb placed a perfect pass into the box and Griffin Stidham headed it past the keeper to tie the score at 2-2. The goal was Stidham's first as a Bulldog.
Following the goal by Stidham, each team had chances in the others' zone but nothing found the back of the net as Saturday's match ended in a 2-2 draw.Herb ➡️ Stidham. Griffin Stidham ties the game in the second half for Asheville!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/WMbITeP8yg
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) September 24, 2022
Asheville will step back out of conference play for its next match as it will visit College of Charleston on Tuesday for its final non-conference match of the season. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
GWU
AVL
Goals
2
2
Shots
12
15
Shots on Goal
5
8
Saves
6
3
Corners
6
5
Fouls
10
15
Scoring Plays
Sam Pitts-Eckersall (4)
Assisted By: Sam Presser
GOAL by AVL Pitts-Eckersall, Sam Assist by Presser, Sam.
23:41
Sabri Tajiti (1)
Assisted By: Aymane Sordo
GOAL by GWU Tajiti, Sabri Assist by Sordo, Aymane.
24:50
Owen Zaldivar (3)
Assisted By: Theo Godard
GOAL by GWU Zaldivar, Owen Assist by Godard, Theo.
41:40
Griffin Stidham (1)
Assisted By: Brendan Herb
GOAL by AVL Stidham, Griffin Assist by Herb, Brendan.
75:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's SoccerD
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