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Men’s Soccer hosts Gardner-Webb on Saturday
GREENSBORO, N.C.—UNCG men's soccer looks to snap its three-match losing streak when the Spartans open a three-match home stand against Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m., Saturday on Homecoming weekend.
Playing at home for the first time since defeating North Florida 3-0 on Sept. 9, the Spartans (2-4-0) are hoping to shake off the effects of three straight road losses. UNCG dropped a 1-0 decision at then-No. 17 Charlotte on Sept. 11, lost 2-1 at Navy (Sept. 17) and most recently suffered a 2-0 setback at William & Mary on Tuesday.
Junior forward Hakan Ilhan continues to lead the Spartans offensively with four goals and an assist for a team-high nine points. Redshirt freshman Davis Griffin earned his first career start in goal against William & Mary and made three saves. Davis carries a 1.55 goals-against average into Saturday's match, while junior Peyton Ford, who has started five matches, owns a 1.22 goals-against average.
Gardner-Webb (3-2-0) plays a Big South Conference match at Coastal Carolina on Friday before traveling to Greensboro. The Bulldogs most recently defeated 20th-ranked VCU, 1-0, on Sept. 18. John Sargent and Chris Davis lead GWU with two goals each. Goalkeeper Scott Krotee owns a 0.92 goals-against average.
The Spartans next open South Conference play when they host No. 25 Furman, 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
Spartan Storylines
• Head coach Justin Maullin is 14-10-4 (.571) in his second season with the Spartans
• UNCG is 2-0-0 all-time against Gardner-Webb. UNCG defeated the Bulldogs 4-1 last season in Boiling Springs, N.C.
• The Spartans have never lost four consecutive matches during their 21 seasons in Division I
• The Spartans haven't lost four consecutive matches since dropping eight-in-a-row in 1977
• This is UNCG's third straight road contest after playing their first three matches at home
• 2011 Hall of Fame inductees Eric Cuthrell (men's basketball), Tere Dail (volleyball), Melinda Goodson (women's basketball) and the late Doug Hamilton (men's soccer) will be introduced during special halftime ceremonies
• UNCG hosts Furman (Oct. 1) and High Point (Oct. 5) as part of its three-match home stand
--UNCG--
