UNCG 1, Jacksonville 0

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men’s soccer team returned to the win column Sunday afternoon as the Spartans posted a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville at the UNCG Soccer Stadium in their final home nonconference game of the year.

The Spartans out-shot the Dolphins 20-9 in the commanding victory as they improved to 4-2-1 on the season while Jacksonville fell to 2-4-1 on the year. Senior goalkeeper Logan Rohde posted his third shutout of the season as he tallied two saves in the victory.

After a scoreless first half, the Spartans came out of the halftime break and quickly took the 1-0 lead, scoring just 1:16 into the second half. Junior defender Jordan Poarch made a run down the right-hand side and was able to turn the corner on his defender. Poarch sent a cross into the box, where junior forward Damieon Thomas got enough of his foot on the ball to redirect it past Harding from 8 yards out. The goal was the fourth of the season for Thomas, tying him for team-high marks with teammate Leeroy Maguraushe.

Jacksonville looked like it would tie the game in the 81st minute of play. Jack Burns found an opening from 20 yards out and ripped a shot that got past Rohde, but it struck the post and popped back into play. UNCG had its final chance of the game in the 88th minute of play as Maguraushe again found Ben Burdon behind the defense. He got to the ball at the same time Harding did and the ball popped just wide of the goal.

The Spartans will hit the road for their final two nonconference games of the year this week. UNCG will travel to rival High Point on Wednesday night before making the trip to West Virginia on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans open Southern Conference play Tuesday, Sept. 28, when they host Mercer at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.