Longo Provides Edge in 86th Minute, Men’s Soccer Downs Virginia on the Road
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s soccer team overcame the Virginia Cavaliers (UVA), 2-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Klöckner Stadium.
Junior Daniel Longo provided the edge for UNCG, cleaning up a loose ball in the box and scoring his first goal as a Spartan in the 86th minute to make it 2-1.
Redshirt sophomore Seth Wilson stood tall in goal for the Spartans, making four saves during the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior Yoshiya Okawa struck first for the Spartans after receiving a pass from sophomore Enzo Dovlo just inside the 18-yard box in the 13th minute. Okawa’s second tally of the season ended up being the only shot attempted by the Spartans in the first half, as UVA outshot UNCG 7-1 during the first 45 minutes. However, UNCG held on to carry the 1-0 lead into the break.
Virginia applied pressure in the second half and executed a set piece to perfection to tie it in the 67th minute, 1-1. Luc Mikula lofted a free kick to Daniel Mangarov, who headed it from the near right post across the mouth of the goal to Luke Burns for a tap-in equalizer.
The Spartans reclaimed the lead in the 86th minute and held on for a 2-1 win after Longo found a loose ball just inside the box and buried it for his first goal as a Spartan.
Under Head Coach Chris Rich, the Spartans are now 3-3-2 against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponents. This marks UNCG’s first win over an ACC-foe since taking down then-No. 18 Clemson on the road, 2-1, back on Oct. 11, 2022.
BY THE NUMBERS
– Longo scored his first goal as a Spartan in the 86th minute.
– Okawa scored his second goal of the season.
– Dovlo assisted Okawa for his first assist and team-leading ninth point of the season.
– Wilson turned away four shots after making his eighth consecutive start. He has yet to miss any action.
– The Cavaliers won the battle in corners, 8-4, shots, 17-7, and shots on goal, 5-4.
RECORDS
UNCG: 4-1-3 (0-0-0 SoCon)
UVA: 2-4-3 (0-2-2 ACC)
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UP NEXT
The Spartans head to Macon, Georgia, next to open their Southern Conference schedule against the Mercer Bears on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Betts Stadium.
Courtesy of Connor Wachtel
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro