University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Tuesday, September 23
Asheville, NC
6 PM
UNC Asheville
4-3-1, 0-1-0
0
vs
1
California
4-3-2, 1-1-1
1
2
F
California
0
1
1
UNC Asheville
0
0
0
Men's Soccer Battles, Drops Non-Conference Affair with California on Tuesday
09.23.2025 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Men's Soccer battled but dropped its non-conference affair with California by a score of 1-0 on Tuesday (Sept. 23) at Greenwood Field. It was Asheville's first time hosting an ACC opponent since welcoming North Carolina back on Oct. 20, 1999.
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The teams played a tightly contested first half, with Cal holding just a 5-4 edge in shots but Asheville outworking the Golden Bears 3-1 on corner kicks. Cal's best chance of the first half came in the 13th minute when a shot from Luka Lukic hit the crossbar. Asheville's best chance of the half came on the following possession, when a ball was fed across to the back post to a streaking Rodrigo Mendes, who was able to get a play on frame. Cal's goalkeeper was caught out of position, but a Golden Bear defender was able to keep the ball out for an Asheville corner. The teams ultimately went to the break tied scoreless.
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Cal struck less than three minutes into the second half, when Lukic and Malcolm Zalayet connected on a passing play feeding the ball to Alfredo Ortiz along the near wing. Ortiz whistled one to the top left corner for his second of the season to give Cal the lead. Asheville would generate chances in the second half but were unable to find the back of the net for the equalizer.
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Asheville totaled six shots in the match, including two on frame. Asheville did hold a 5-2 edge in the match in corner kicks. Mendes led the way offensively with three shots, while Rinta Takagi, Dylan Kwasnik and Dylan Culbertson each had one shot in the contest. Lucca Barros (4-3-1) made two saves in the match.
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The Bulldogs (4-3-1) return to Big South Conference play on Saturday (Sept. 27) hosting Radford for alumni weekend. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
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The teams played a tightly contested first half, with Cal holding just a 5-4 edge in shots but Asheville outworking the Golden Bears 3-1 on corner kicks. Cal's best chance of the first half came in the 13th minute when a shot from Luka Lukic hit the crossbar. Asheville's best chance of the half came on the following possession, when a ball was fed across to the back post to a streaking Rodrigo Mendes, who was able to get a play on frame. Cal's goalkeeper was caught out of position, but a Golden Bear defender was able to keep the ball out for an Asheville corner. The teams ultimately went to the break tied scoreless.
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Cal struck less than three minutes into the second half, when Lukic and Malcolm Zalayet connected on a passing play feeding the ball to Alfredo Ortiz along the near wing. Ortiz whistled one to the top left corner for his second of the season to give Cal the lead. Asheville would generate chances in the second half but were unable to find the back of the net for the equalizer.
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Asheville totaled six shots in the match, including two on frame. Asheville did hold a 5-2 edge in the match in corner kicks. Mendes led the way offensively with three shots, while Rinta Takagi, Dylan Kwasnik and Dylan Culbertson each had one shot in the contest. Lucca Barros (4-3-1) made two saves in the match.
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The Bulldogs (4-3-1) return to Big South Conference play on Saturday (Sept. 27) hosting Radford for alumni weekend. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
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Team Stats
CAL
AVL
Goals
1
0
Shots
13
6
Shots on Goal
3
2
Saves
1
2
Corners
2
5
Fouls
6
10
Scoring Plays
Alfredo Ortiz (2)
Assisted By: Luka Lukic , Malcolm Zalayet
GOAL by CAL Ortiz, Alfredo Assist by Lukic, Luka and Zalayet, Malcolm.
47:23
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
M
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