University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, August 15
Asheville, NC
2 PM
UNC Asheville
0-0-2, 0-0-0
3
vs
3
North Alabama
0-0-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Ala. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| UNC Asheville | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Late Rally Earns Women's Soccer a 3-3 Draw with North Alabama on Saturday
08.15.2026 | Women's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Soccer was resilient in its effort at Greenwood Field on Saturday (Aug. 15), with a late second half rally earning the Bulldogs a 3-3 draw with visiting North Alabama.
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The Bulldogs fell behind just two minutes in, with Maya Kelsch scoring her first of the season from Gracie Tyrrell for a 1-0 Lions lead. After a few minutes of trading runs, the Bulldogs would counter with possession down the far wing when Lili Adams was tripped up and awarded a free kick. Adams blasted the ball to the back of the net from way out to tie the game 1-1 in the 17th minute, for her first goal of the season and third of her Bulldog career.
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North Alabama scored quickly in the second half for a 2-1 lead, when Meg Welsh scored her first of the season off a second assist from Tyrrell in the 53rd minute. Just eight minutes later, UAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Adelyn Speight scored her first of the season through a crowd off an assist from Maddie Reynolds for a 3-1 Lions lead. The Bulldogs were able to push back offensively and get the ball into the Lions end, off a corner from Kandis Calvin that deflected off the post off the foot off of Sauna Smith. The ball deflected to Kathleen Doane, who set Adams up for a ball into the box. Adams lofted a ball in from the right edge of the box that grazed the head of Karlee Benz to get the Bulldogs back with 3-2 in the 68th minute. The goal was the first of the season and fourth of her career for Benz, while Adams's helper was her first of the season and first of her career. North Alabama would attempt to hold their lead and was able to push back against the Asheville defense, leaving Asheville with just a few minutes to go the full length of the pitch. The Bulldogs were able to connect passes and press forward into the final minute, before it came down to one last gasp. The ball was played forward to Lilly Graumann in space, who let go a shot that was tailing toward the left post. The ball was knocked down before bouncing to Manuela Schreier, who stashed it home to the top shelf with just three seconds left to earn the draw. The goal was Schreier's second of the season and third of her Bulldog career, while Graumann picked up her first career helper on the marker.
Asheville outshot North Alabama 16-8 in the contest, including 9-3 in shots on target. North Alabama was able to edge Asheville 5-3 in corner kicks in the contest. Graumann and Adams each had three shots in the contest, while Makayla Cihlar and Georgia Duke each registered two shots in the match. Kathleen Doane, Schreier, Smith, Calvin, Maleigh Dawson and Benz each had one shot in the match. Reagan Donnelly (0-0-1) earned the draw in her first collegiate start. Â
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The Bulldogs (0-0-2) return to action on Wednesday (Aug. 19) hosting Southern Wesleyan in non-conference action for the 2026 Welcome Back Game. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field, with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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The Bulldogs fell behind just two minutes in, with Maya Kelsch scoring her first of the season from Gracie Tyrrell for a 1-0 Lions lead. After a few minutes of trading runs, the Bulldogs would counter with possession down the far wing when Lili Adams was tripped up and awarded a free kick. Adams blasted the ball to the back of the net from way out to tie the game 1-1 in the 17th minute, for her first goal of the season and third of her Bulldog career.
The teams would trade runs and chances for the remainder of the first half, but ultimately head to the break knotted 1-1.17' | Lili ties it from deep 🚀
— Asheville Women's Soccer (@UNCAvlWSoccer) August 15, 2026
It's 1-1 early at Greenwood!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/UNodi4Qws3
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North Alabama scored quickly in the second half for a 2-1 lead, when Meg Welsh scored her first of the season off a second assist from Tyrrell in the 53rd minute. Just eight minutes later, UAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Adelyn Speight scored her first of the season through a crowd off an assist from Maddie Reynolds for a 3-1 Lions lead. The Bulldogs were able to push back offensively and get the ball into the Lions end, off a corner from Kandis Calvin that deflected off the post off the foot off of Sauna Smith. The ball deflected to Kathleen Doane, who set Adams up for a ball into the box. Adams lofted a ball in from the right edge of the box that grazed the head of Karlee Benz to get the Bulldogs back with 3-2 in the 68th minute. The goal was the first of the season and fourth of her career for Benz, while Adams's helper was her first of the season and first of her career. North Alabama would attempt to hold their lead and was able to push back against the Asheville defense, leaving Asheville with just a few minutes to go the full length of the pitch. The Bulldogs were able to connect passes and press forward into the final minute, before it came down to one last gasp. The ball was played forward to Lilly Graumann in space, who let go a shot that was tailing toward the left post. The ball was knocked down before bouncing to Manuela Schreier, who stashed it home to the top shelf with just three seconds left to earn the draw. The goal was Schreier's second of the season and third of her Bulldog career, while Graumann picked up her first career helper on the marker.
Â90' | LOUD NOISES 🤯
— Asheville Women's Soccer (@UNCAvlWSoccer) August 15, 2026
Manu gets us the draw with the equalizer with three seconds left! #ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/UcdOIrFKgC
Asheville outshot North Alabama 16-8 in the contest, including 9-3 in shots on target. North Alabama was able to edge Asheville 5-3 in corner kicks in the contest. Graumann and Adams each had three shots in the contest, while Makayla Cihlar and Georgia Duke each registered two shots in the match. Kathleen Doane, Schreier, Smith, Calvin, Maleigh Dawson and Benz each had one shot in the match. Reagan Donnelly (0-0-1) earned the draw in her first collegiate start. Â
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The Bulldogs (0-0-2) return to action on Wednesday (Aug. 19) hosting Southern Wesleyan in non-conference action for the 2026 Welcome Back Game. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field, with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
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Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
UNA
AVL
Goals
3
3
Shots
8
16
Shots on Goal
3
9
Saves
6
0
Corners
5
3
Fouls
5
3
Scoring Plays
Maya Kelsch (1)
Assisted By: Gracie Tyrrell
GOAL by UNA Kelsch, Maya Assist by Tyrrell, Gracie.
01:59
Lili Adams (1)
GOAL by AVL Adams, Lili.
16:59
Meg Welsh (1)
Assisted By: Gracie Tyrrell
GOAL by UNA Welsh, Meg Assist by Tyrrell, Gracie.
52:37
Adelyn Speight (1)
Assisted By: Maddie Reynolds
GOAL by UNA Speight, Adelyn Assist by Reynolds, Maddie.
60:56
Karlee Benz (1)
Assisted By: Kathleen Doane , Lili Adams
GOAL by AVL Benz, Karlee Assist by Doane, Kathleen and Adams, Lili.
67:41
Manuela Schreier (2)
Assisted By: Lilly Graumann
GOAL by AVL Schreier, Manuela Assist by Graumann, Lilly.
89:56
Game Leaders
mid
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
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