UNC Asheville scored a pair of goals in the second half to take a 2-0 victory over Calon Minors and his USC Upstate in Non-Conference Men's Soccer action at County University Soccer Stadium. It was both team's season opening games.
UNCA dodged a bullet late in the first half when Upstate’s Leon Schwarzer put a foot on the ball and a Asheville defender deflected it deep into the box where Heiko Allmendinger gained possession and hammered a shot from the left side. His shot was deflected out of bounds by Asheville keeper Zak Davis.
The play marked the best opportunity for either team to score in the first half. The teams battled in the midfield throughout the first 45 minutes. Both teams took two shots in the half.
Upstate keeper Hassan Haddad came up with a key diving save early in the second half to prevent Grady Bradshaw from scoring the go-ahead goal in the 49th minute.
A defensive miscue and a solid shot from 23 yards out gave UNCA a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute. Upstate gave possession away in its own end and Ben Chapal played a ball to Andrew Lawrence in the middle of the field. Lawrence placed a shot from 24 yards into the upper right 90 to give Asheville a 1-0 lead.
Davis made two big saves on back-to-back Upstate shots in the 68th minute. Rinaldi Alphonse hammered a shot from close in on the right saved that Davis deflected to his right. Minors took the rebound and placed a shot on goal from the left, but Davis retreated back to make the save.
UNCA made it a 2-0 lead in the 75th minute to make it tough for Upstate to get back in the game. Ryan Enriquez played a ball out to the wing to Emil Gonzalvez. Gonzalvez played a cross to the far post where Zach Joens put the shot away from 5 yards.
Upstate and UNCA finished the game tied in shots with seven apiece. The game was physical as well with the teams combining for 29 fouls and five yellow cards.
