UNCG Women’s Soccer Scores Five Unanswered for 5-1 SoCon Victory Over VMI
LEXINGTON, Va. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s soccer team scored five unanswered goals in the second half to secure its first The Southern Conference (SoCon) win of the season against VMI on Thursday afternoon at Patchin Field.
Merle Greulich led the way with a brace while Mel Herrera, Rachel Poplin, and Ava Kiss each scoring one.
With the win, the Spartans extended their win streak to nine victories over the Keydets for an 11-1 overall series. UNCG matched its score from last season against VMI on Oct. 22, 2023.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Before a lightning delay, VMI capitalized on a foul drawn in the box as Riley Boucher scored for a 1-0 advantage at 13:25. After returning to play, the Spartans turned play around and outshot the Keydets, 11-2.
Coming out of the break, UNCG had eight shots in the first 24 minutes of the second half before Herrera scored the equalizer at 72:25 with a helper from Nicole Hutchinson. Forty seconds later, Mairead Gayer struck an in-swinging corner that Poplin headed home for a 2-1 lead. The Spartans continued to push the attack, with Greulich scoring two goals in a span of two minutes and thirty seconds. Greulich netted her first collegiate goal at 78:40 with an assist from Kiss and then found the back of the net at 81:10 with a helper from Bailey Gourdine. Kiss capped the Spartans’ scoring with her second goal of the season at 85:23, receiving a pass from Ryen Ortiz for the 5-1 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans outshot the Keydets, 25-2.
This was the fifth game this season that the Spartans have tallied 10 or more shots.
This was the first game since Sept. 7, 2023, when UNCG had 20 or more shots. The Spartans had 20 shots against Coastal Carolina that day and won 3-0.
UNCG’s 25 shots was the most since Aug. 25, 2019, when the Spartans had 26 in a 3-3 draw to Campbell.
UNCG had 15 shots on goal.
VMI made 10 saves while UNCG had one.
UNCG outmatched VMI in corner kicks, 10-1.
Kiss scored her second goal of the season and sixth of her career. She also had her second assist of the season and seventh of her career.
Greulich tallied her first and second collegiate goals.
Herrera netted her first goal of the season and fourth of her career.
Poplin scored her first goal of her career.
Hutchinson recorded her first collegiate point with an assist.
Gourdine had her first assist of the season and third of her career.
Ortiz chipped in her second helper of the season and fifth of her career.
Gayer had her second assist of the season and career.
RECORDS
UNCG: 2-5-2, 1-0-0 SoCon
VMI: 4-4-1, 0-1-0 SoCon
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UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host SoCon foe ETSU on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
All regular season home games are free admission. The first 100 kids (ages 12 and under) will receive a free t-shirt! There will be a donation drive for Beyond Sports at the game. Click here to see what Beyond Sports’ equipment needs are.
There will also be a buy one get one free hot dog promotion!
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro