No. 12 UNCG Men’s Soccer Ends Historic Run in NCAA Quarterfinals
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 12 UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s soccer team concluded its historic NCAA Division I run with a tough 2-0 loss to No. 13 Indiana in front of a record-setting crowd of 3,622 at UNCG Soccer Stadium on Saturday night during the 2022 NCAA Quarterfinal round.
This was the first-ever appearance in the quarterfinal matchup in Division I history for the Spartans. UNCG earned its 21st bid as a program and 12th ticket in Division I history after winning the 2022 SoCon Tournament.
How it Happened
UNCG and Indiana both looked to settle into a play during the opening 10 minutes of the game. The Hoosiers had the first shot of the match in the ninth minute. Indiana had a deep throw-in into its attacking third from Brett Bebej just a few minutes later. The ball found the feet of Maiuloune Goumballe who turned and volleyed the ball towards net, finding the right side of the frame for a 1-0 lead at 15:50. The Hoosiers dominated the first half outshooting the Spartans, 5-2.
UNCG’s offensive attack picked up in the second half, as Ismail El Harchi tallied the Spartans’ first shot on frame in the 60th minute. A Hoosier took the ball off a Spartan defender in the 64th minute and Indiana sent the ball from midfield to Samuel Sarver. Sarver then dribbled down the field and struck the ball inside the 18-yard box placing it to the back right corner of the net for a 2-0 advantage at 63:42. UNCG had eight more shots in the half, but Indiana’s defense outlasted the Spartans to advance to the College Cup facing Pittsburgh in Cary, North Carolina during a semifinal game.
By the Numbers
UNCG outshot Indiana 11-7.
The Hoosiers tallied four saves to the Spartans’ two.
UNCG had two corner kicks to Indiana’s four.
Records
UNCG: 13-2-6, 4-0-1 SoCon
Indiana: 13-4-6, 3-1-4 B1G
Wrap Up
The Spartans won the Southern Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship to earn their 21st ticket in program history and 12th bid to the NCAA Tournament. UNCG won its fourth SoCon double crown in program history. The last time the Spartans won the double crown was 2006. UNCG also won it in 2005 and 1998.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro