UNCG 2, Texas Rio Grande Valley 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men’s soccer team scored a goal in each half on its way to a solid 2-0 victory over visiting UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday night at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
The victory improves the Spartans to 3-1-1 on the season. The Spartans have the coming week off until returning home next Friday night hosting North Florida.
The Spartans got on the board quickly, taking a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute of play. Senior forward Ben Burdon generated the goal on his own as he gained possession in the midfield. Burdon accelerated through the Vaqueros’ defense and drove past four defenders to get behind the defense. Once he was one-on-one against UTRGV goalkeeper Leo Castillo, Burdon tucked the ball inside the near post for his first goal of the season.
UT Rio Grande Valley, formerly Texas-Pan American, had its best chance of the game in the 50th minute of play. Juan Garcia got some space in the midfield and ripped a shot from 25-yards out but senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde was there to make the save.
The Spartans got a much-needed insurance goal in the 80th minute of play. Damieon Thomas fired a shot that Castillo got a piece of, but his shot was too strong and found its way into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead. The goal was the team-leading third of the season for Thomas as he has scored in three out of four games this year.
Rohde picked up his second shutout of the season and lowered his goals against average to 1.11 on the season as he recorded one save in the victory. Castillo was forced to make five saves for the Vaqueros in the loss as UNCG out-shot UTRGV 14-11.
The Spartans will be off this week before returning home for two more home games next weekend. UNCG will host North Florida next Friday night, Sept. 18, before hosting Jacksonville the following Sunday.
Furman 1, College of Charleston 1 (2OT)
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – College of Charleston converted from the penalty spot with 2:28 left in regulation to force overtime and forge a 1-1 draw with Furman in nonconference men’s soccer action on Friday night at Patriots Point.
The draw left the Paladins at 1-1-2 on the season, while Charleston moved to 3-1-1.
With under three minutes to play in regulation, Furman was whistled for a foul in the box and Leland Archer stepped up to fire a shot past Paladin goalkeeper Sven Lissek to even the match at 1-1.
Furman produced the best chance to score in overtime as Eli Pinner turned a header on goal, but CofC’s Kevin Shields made the save in the 108th minute to preserve the draw.
The Paladins, who dominated the attack through most of the contest, jumped in front in the 66th minute on junior Bobby Edet’s first tally of the season. A scramble in the box resulted in a rebound bouncing to the feet of Edet, who found the back of the net at 65:11.
Furman finished with a 20-7 margin in total shots and a commanding 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. Lissek recorded one save for the Paladins, while Shields stopped seven shots for the Cougars.
The Paladins are back in action on Tuesday night when they host nationally ranked Clemson at Stone Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
UNLV 2, Mercer 0
OREM, Utah – The Mercer University men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to UNLV on Friday in the Holiday Inn Express Invitational, hosted by Utah Valley.
UNLV saw Blake Balelo score in the 42nd minute to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Rebels added an insurance goal on Bradley Kamdem’s strike in the 87th minute, eventually leading to the 2-0 win.
Jordan Duru played all 90 minutes for the Bears, notching two shots, including one on goal. Duru's shot on goal was one of just two for Mercer during the game.
UNLV led Mercer in shots, 18-10, including an 11-2 shots on goal margin.
Jeremy Booth made a season-high nine saves, while facing a total of 18 shots.
Mercer moves to 2-3 on the season, while UNLV improves to 3-2.
The Bears will face Utah Valley on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. ET to wrap up the Holiday Inn Express Invitational.