University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Asheville, NC
6 PM
UNC Asheville
1-0-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
Northern Kentucky
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ky. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNC Asheville | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Bulldogs Blank Northern Kentucky to Open the 2026 Season
08.20.2026 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Men's Soccer opened the 2026 season with a 1-0 shutout win against visiting Northern Kentucky Thursday night (Aug. 20) at Greenwood Field. This marks the first clean sheet in a season opener for the Bulldogs since a 2-0 triumph over USC Upstate back on Aug. 28, 2015.
The teams traded possessions and runs throughout the first 30 minutes of the match, before sustained pressure from Asheville set up a corner kick on the far side. A left-footed ball into the box by Kairi Saito was headed in by Big South Conference Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year Lennart Granzow for a 1-0 lead, marking his first goal of the season, fourth of his Bulldog career and his first career game-winner.
Northern Kentucky would find their offensive stride and outshoot Asheville 11-8 in the second half, while earning eight corner kicks in the second half to Asheville's four. Offsetting second yellow cards that turned to red cards in the 64th minute left both teams to finish the match with 10 men. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lucca Barros would shut down Northern Kentucky's best chance in the 79th minute, with a save on the far post from close range as the Bulldogs were able to preserve the clean sheet.
Asheville outshot Northern Kentucky 17-12 in total in the match, including 12-2 in shots on goal. The Bulldogs also edged the Norse 12-9 in corner kicks for the match. Tyler Ware matched his career-high with four shots in his Bulldog debut, while Orthodoxous Orthodoxou and Louie Salkeld each registered three shots in the contest. Granzow matched his career-high with two shots in the match, while Dwayne Campino Do Vale also had the first two shots of his Bulldog career. Taichi Nogami, Charlie Wood and Kayoum M'Bamba each had one shot in the match, with Nogami and M'Bamba each tallying the first shots of their respective Bulldog careers. Barros (1-0-0) made two saves between the pipes on the night, posting his first shutout of the season and the fifth of his career.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) return to action next Monday (Aug. 24) at No. 3/2 Furman in non-conference action. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from Greenville, S.C. with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
The teams traded possessions and runs throughout the first 30 minutes of the match, before sustained pressure from Asheville set up a corner kick on the far side. A left-footed ball into the box by Kairi Saito was headed in by Big South Conference Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year Lennart Granzow for a 1-0 lead, marking his first goal of the season, fourth of his Bulldog career and his first career game-winner.
The helper on the goal was the first as a Bulldog for Saito and the second assist of his college career. Asheville held possession to end the first half, taking a 1-0 lead to the break. Asheville held Northern Kentucky to just one shot in the first half along with just one corner kick, while the Bulldogs registered nine shots in the opening frame and eight corner kicks.35' | 🗣️ LENNY!
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) August 20, 2026
The @BigSouthSports Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year gives us a 1-0 lead off an assist from Kairi Saito!#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/sfQBp7r6H7
Northern Kentucky would find their offensive stride and outshoot Asheville 11-8 in the second half, while earning eight corner kicks in the second half to Asheville's four. Offsetting second yellow cards that turned to red cards in the 64th minute left both teams to finish the match with 10 men. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Lucca Barros would shut down Northern Kentucky's best chance in the 79th minute, with a save on the far post from close range as the Bulldogs were able to preserve the clean sheet.
79' | Another big save from Lucca 🧤#ALLinAVL pic.twitter.com/uqQB3GeG30
— Asheville Men's Soccer (@UNCAvlMSoccer) August 20, 2026
Asheville outshot Northern Kentucky 17-12 in total in the match, including 12-2 in shots on goal. The Bulldogs also edged the Norse 12-9 in corner kicks for the match. Tyler Ware matched his career-high with four shots in his Bulldog debut, while Orthodoxous Orthodoxou and Louie Salkeld each registered three shots in the contest. Granzow matched his career-high with two shots in the match, while Dwayne Campino Do Vale also had the first two shots of his Bulldog career. Taichi Nogami, Charlie Wood and Kayoum M'Bamba each had one shot in the match, with Nogami and M'Bamba each tallying the first shots of their respective Bulldog careers. Barros (1-0-0) made two saves between the pipes on the night, posting his first shutout of the season and the fifth of his career.
The Bulldogs (1-0-0) return to action next Monday (Aug. 24) at No. 3/2 Furman in non-conference action. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from Greenville, S.C. with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
NKU
AVL
Goals
0
1
Shots
12
17
Shots on Goal
2
12
Saves
10
2
Corners
9
12
Fouls
11
14
Scoring Plays
Lennart Granzow (1)
Assisted By: Kairi Saito
GOAL by AVL Granzow, Lennart Assist by Saito, Kairi.
34:40
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Monday, November 13
Monday, November 06
Monday, November 06
Monday, October 30