Men’s Soccer Falls to Marshall’s Second-Half Run
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro men’s soccer team (4-2-5) fell to a second-half blitz against Marshall (5-2-4) at UNCG Soccer Stadium on Tuesday night, the Thundering Herd emerging with a 5-1 win.
A second-half red card just before the hour mark dramatically altered the game, with the visiting side able to take full advantage and hand the Blue & Gold its first home loss of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Marshall struck first in the 11th minute, Carl Romberg slotting home a low cross. UNCG was able to contain the Thundering Herd until the Spartans were able to get organized and push forward in waves, starting to generate changes of their own.
One attack led to a free kick just outside the top right corner of the 18-yard box, where Caleb Borneo was able to smash home a pinpoint attempt in the 33rd minute. Now level at 1-1, the Spartans saw two more chances denied in the first half.
Sixteen seconds out from the break, Marshall stole the lead back on a solo run and finish from Joao Roberto to enter the half up 2-1.
The pivotal moment came in the 57th minute, as newly crowned Southern Conference (SoCon) Defensive Player of the Week Mathis Robinand saw a straight red card after being judged to have made excessive contact coming out of an aerial challenge. Now down to 10 men, the Spartans found themselves trailing 3-1 less than 10 minutes later as well.
Marshall would grab two more goals in the 82nd and 87th minutes to seal the result, the first loss for the Spartans since Sept. 11 at then-No. 6 South Carolina.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Borneo’s goal, his fourth of the season, brings him level with Keaviano Francis on both goals and points (nine) atop the charts for UNCG this season.
Shots finished 10-9 in favor of UNCG, though Marshall finished with seven on target to four for the home side.
Seth Wilson made two stops on the night between the sticks.
UP NEXT
The Spartans will depart Greensboro for a three-game road trip, beginning with a return to SoCon action against VMI on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff in Lexington, Virginia, at Patchin Field is slated for 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
Courtesy of Davis Fields
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro