The Pride came out on the wrong end of a hard fought battle against the Birmingham Southern Panthers, falling 1-0 in the opening game of the Kyle Rote Invitational on Saturday.
Birmingham Southern converted an opportunity early in the game, scoring at the 14:47 mark when senior Tyler Evans received a pass from freshman Tobias Winter and took a long shot from outside the 18 yard box. Sophomore goalkeeper Woody Wilder made the initial save, but Evans jumped on the rebound for the game’s only goal.
The game was played mostly in the midfield, with neither team finding many good chances on goal. The Panthers outshot The Pride 9-6 overall and 5-4 on goal. Birmingham also had the advantage in corner kicks, 5-1.
Greensboro had two second half break-a-ways and a free kick opportunity late, but was unable to convert, sealing Birmingham’s win.
Wilder finished the game with two saves, while Birmingham’s goalkeeper, Sveinbo Grimmson, recorded six.
“Credit a very well-coached Birmingham Southern team for their win,” said head coach John Trice. “Our inexperience showed some today as we started out slow and did not wake up until the goal was scored against us. Once we raised our level, we created some very good opportunities and were unlucky not to finish. This group grows up more and more each day and we look to find a way to get a win tomorrow against Sewanee.”
The Pride will be back in action tomorrow as they continue play in the Kyle Rote Invitational against Sewanee at 12:00 p.m.
(Pride Press Release)