University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Thursday, August 21
Asheville, NC
6 PM
UNC Asheville
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Howard
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Howard
0
1
1
UNC Asheville
2
0
2
Bulldogs Start Danny Frid Era with 2-1 Win over Howard
08.21.2025 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Men's Soccer began the Danny Frid era with a 2-1 win over visiting Howard at Greenwood Field on Thursday (Aug. 21). In Asheville's first-ever match against a current member of the Northeast Conference, the victory marks the third straight season that Asheville has won its season opener. Three opening wins in a row marks the second-longest such streak in the program's Division I era.
Asheville struck early with an absolute missile to the top left corner from Charlie Wood in the ninth minute, his first of the season and second of his Bulldog career.
Less than three minutes later, Rodrigo Mendes would score the first of his Bulldog career off a nice passing play from Wood and Arnor Hardarson who collected his first career assist on the play.
In total in the first half, Asheville outshot Howard 6-1 and edged the Bison 3-1 in corner kicks in the period as Asheville took its 2-0 lead to the break.
Asheville would control the pace in the second half, before Howard was able to mount some late counter pressure. Howard would find the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Daniil Kaban headed home a cross from Onarae Rice. After the goal, Howard continued to apply offensive pressure before Asheville was able to defend a corner kick as the final horn sounded.
Asheville outshot Howard 15-4 in total in the match, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Asheville also earned seven corner kicks to Howard's five in the match. Mendes posted a career-high shots in the match to lead the Bulldogs, while Wood and Louis Beckett each posted three shots in the match with Wood tying his career-high. Aysa Hamid added two shots, while Benian Yao, Sjoerd Spijkers and Jack Steel each had one shot with Spijkers recording the first attempt of his Asheville career. Lucca Barros (1-0-0) stopped one shot in his first career start, earning his first career win between the pipes.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) return to Greenwood Field on Tuesday (Aug. 26) to host Georgia State for University Appreciation Day. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
Asheville struck early with an absolute missile to the top left corner from Charlie Wood in the ninth minute, his first of the season and second of his Bulldog career.
9' | What a strike 🚀
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) August 21, 2025
Charlie Wood starts the season with an absolute beauty for a 1-0 lead!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/fQIQEPrVql
Less than three minutes later, Rodrigo Mendes would score the first of his Bulldog career off a nice passing play from Wood and Arnor Hardarson who collected his first career assist on the play.
12' | Lightning strikes twice ⚡️
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) August 21, 2025
Rodrigo Mendes scores his first goal as a Bulldog off of assists from Arnor Hardarson and Charlie Wood!
Dogs lead 2-0!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/hvpjtBnYOf
In total in the first half, Asheville outshot Howard 6-1 and edged the Bison 3-1 in corner kicks in the period as Asheville took its 2-0 lead to the break.
Asheville would control the pace in the second half, before Howard was able to mount some late counter pressure. Howard would find the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Daniil Kaban headed home a cross from Onarae Rice. After the goal, Howard continued to apply offensive pressure before Asheville was able to defend a corner kick as the final horn sounded.
Asheville outshot Howard 15-4 in total in the match, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Asheville also earned seven corner kicks to Howard's five in the match. Mendes posted a career-high shots in the match to lead the Bulldogs, while Wood and Louis Beckett each posted three shots in the match with Wood tying his career-high. Aysa Hamid added two shots, while Benian Yao, Sjoerd Spijkers and Jack Steel each had one shot with Spijkers recording the first attempt of his Asheville career. Lucca Barros (1-0-0) stopped one shot in his first career start, earning his first career win between the pipes.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) return to Greenwood Field on Tuesday (Aug. 26) to host Georgia State for University Appreciation Day. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
Team Stats
HOW
AVL
Goals
1
2
Shots
4
15
Shots on Goal
2
4
Saves
2
1
Corners
5
7
Fouls
5
8
Scoring Plays
Charlie Wood (1)
GOAL by AVL Wood, Charlie.
08:38
Rodrigo Mendes (1)
Assisted By: Charlie Wood , Arnor Hardarson
GOAL by AVL Mendes, Rodrigo Assist by Wood, Charlie and Hardarson, Arnor.
11:23
Daniil Kaban (1)
Assisted By: Onarae Rice
GOAL by HOW Kaban, Daniil Assist by Rice, Onarae.
81:54
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
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