Late Push Denied as Men’s Soccer Draws 2-2 at Davidson
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s soccer team (1-0-3) saw a late offensive frenzy denied by the Davidson Wildcats (0-0-3) at Alumni Soccer Stadium, both teams drawing for the third consecutive match in a 2-2 contest.
Caleb Borneo and Keaviano Francis both struck on a night where UNCG hit the woodwork multiple times but would be unable to pull ahead of the Wildcats in the squad’s first road game of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lasse Dahl forced the first of several saves on the night in the 16th minute, denied by a low stop from Davidson goalkeeper Lucas Beltran in the 16th minute. But the Spartans couldn’t grab momentum, going 1-0 down four minutes later to a low drive from Ayman Maadir following a corner.
The next shot on target did go the way of UNCG. Borneo, making his first start for the Blue & Gold, arrived home at the back post to convert a low cross from Lasse Dahl in the 32nd minute for his first goal as a Spartan.
Both sides pushed for a second goal before the half, the Wildcats forcing a save out of Seth Wilson while both Steven Hernandez and Sigurd Eikenes Sæveraas were denied by Beltran. The first 45 minutes ended with the score knotted at 1-1.
Davidson regained the lead just over three minutes into the half thanks to Tobe Ibe, once again forcing UNCG on the back foot in a 2-1 game.
The spark for Head Coach Chris Rich’s side came in the 70th minute. The Spartan attack, now settling in again, saw Dahl rocket a shot off the crossbar to signal another change in momentum.
The equalizer came a minute later thanks to Francis, picked out six yards from goal by a pinpoint cross from Hernandez. The reigning Southern Conference (SoCon) Offensive Player of the Week made no mistake for his third goal of the season.
It was all Spartans from there. Francis crashed a shot off the post in the 75th minute and was stifled by a team save seconds later. Hernandez, a constant threat himself on the left wing, was denied by the hands of Beltran in the 78th.
Hernandez became the third Spartan to thump the woodwork in the 86th minute, the Blue & Gold pushing hard and earning several corner kick opportunities but ultimately being unable to find a decisive finish on the night.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Francis’ goal was his third of the season, extending his team-high. He’s now scored the equalizer in consecutive games after finding the back of the net in the 1-1 draw with West Virginia on Aug. 28.
Dahl’s assist tonight marked two straight games with one for the Dane.
Borneo is the fourth Spartan this season to score in his first start for the team, joining Francis, Bautista Schmidt, and Filipe Matos.
Hernandez’s assist marks his first point of the season after his return to action against West Virginia.
Wilson finished with three saves against the Wildcats.
Shots finished 13-11 in favor of the Spartans, while corners were five apiece.
Of UNCG’s 13 shots, seven were on target and an additional three hit the frame of the goal.
UP NEXT
UNCG heads to Dayton, Ohio, taking on the Dayton Flyers on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff from Baujan Field is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN+.