UNCW 2, UNCG 1

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men’s soccer team battled for 90 minutes in front of a crowd of 2,092 fans Monday night in its home opener at the UNCG Soccer Stadium but the Spartans fell to in-state rival UNCW 2-1 for their first loss of the season.

UNCW (1-0-1), an NCAA tournament team last year, came out of the gate quickly and scored just 2:34 into the game. Nathaniel Goodwin made a run down the right-hand side and sent a cross through the box. The ball carried over the head of the UNCG defender and Seahawk forward Colin Bonner was there on the end to deposit it into the back of the net past senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde for the 1-0 lead.

The Spartans showed their fight as they came back and responded with a goal of their own just over eight minutes later in the 11th minute of play. Senior midfielder Noah DeAngelo ran onto a Damieon Thomas pass and poked it into the back of the net, knotting the game at 1-1.

In the 53rd minute of play, the Seahawks were awarded a free kick just inside the midline and quickly took the set piece as UNCG was readying for play. The ball lofted into the 18-yard box where Bonner used his height to bring the ball down and fire a shot that Rohde was able to block back out. The rebound though came out front and Goodwin was able to pounce on the loose ball and fire it into the back of the net for the 2-1 advantage.

The Spartans continue the stretch that sees them play five out of six games at home Friday when they host Longwood. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.