With the match appearing to head into overtime, a late goal by UNC Asheville’s Cy Gourlay with only three minutes remaining lifted the Bulldogs to a 1-0 victory over the VMI men’s soccer team Saturday afternoon at Patchin Field.
The Bulldogs (3-2-1) took possession of a loose ball when Grady Bradshaw took it and crossed it to Gourlay, who flicked it in with the back of his foot from 12 feet to earn the win.
“I am a bit gutted,” said VMI head coach Jon Freeman. “It was a tale of two halves. They controlled the first and I felt we had more play in the second. I felt we were a bit more committed going forward the second half and felt like the boys deserved to be rewarded. Hunter Morgan proved a handful as an attacking center mid and almost bagged a couple. I thought we had them in the second half.
“Give Asheville credit. They did well countering in the second half when they went a man down and made us pay. We have to pick ourselves up and move forward. Nothing is going to be handed to us. Positive attitudes and steady heads are needed to progress. We have to kick it up a notch.”
Morgan led the Keydets (0-6) with five shot attempts, including two on goal. Brienno Illari added two shots, while Travis Borkey, Todd Johnson, Dan Geyer and David Wright also registered a shot attempt.
Asheville’s Zach Joens led the team with four shots with Ryan Enriquez tallying three. Chuka Anyafo and Brendan O’Dows each had two shots in the effort.
VMI keeper Alex Guerra logged seven saves on the day, including multiple diving saves to deny the Bulldogs of scores. Bulldog goalie Zak Davis countered with three saves. Asheville outshot the Keydets by a 17-11 margin and had six corners to VMI’s three.
The Keydets return to action Tuesday night with a matchup at James Madison scheduled for 7 p.m. in Harrisonburg. Southern Conference play begins next Saturday at home against Furman with a 2 p.m. kickoff at Patchin Field.
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