UNCG earns 3-3 tie in first exhibition match of season

GREENSBORO, NC – The UNC Greensboro women's soccer team successfully opened the preseason as it earned a 3-3 tie against the visiting Clemson Tigers in the first exhibition match of the 2005-06 campaign.

The game was played in three 30 minute halves instead of the traditional two 45 havles due to the exhibition format.

The Spartans grabbed the early 1-0 advantage when Mary Kate Towne notched the game’s first goal on a well-placed shot over the outstretched keeper’s hand with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.  The Royal Palm Beach, FL product corralled the ball outside the 18, turned to her right and sent the ball into the back of the Clemson net.

Clemson countered midway through the second half when Jenny Smith netted the second goal of the game, leaving the game tied at one.  Fellow Tiger Lydia Vanderbergh sent a cross into the box where Smith finished the play as she headed the ball into the net just past the arms of Spartan keeper Katherine Ryan.

UNCG took a commanding 3-1 lead in the contest following a pair of goals by Dacia Beachum and Shannon Donovan.  After a diving save by the Clemson keeper, Beachum’s head found the loose ball, propelling it just past the goal line.  Not to be outdone, Donovan put the Spartans up by two just over three minutes into the third half as she sent a one-touch blast past the arms of the diving Clemson keeper.

However in the closing minutes, Clemson staged a third period rally, scoring two late goals against the Spartans’ reserves.  Vandenbergh put Clemson within a goal in the 78th minute, netting a free kick goal from over 20 yards out following a Spartan foul.  With less than eight minutes remaining in the third half, Elizabeth Jobe scored the game-tying goal when she capitalized on a Spartan miscue in goal.  Having corralled the ball after an errant clear, Jobe dribbled the ball into the box and scored the game’s sixth goal on a one-on-one with the Spartans’ keeper.  Led by Jobe’s four shots on goal, the Clemson offensive attack finished the contest with 17 total shots.

Despite the abundance of goals, the Spartans three goalkeepers notched eight saves, led by Ryan who collected all eight of them.  On offense, the Spartans managed 10 shots on goal led by Beachum’s two. 

The Spartans return to action Sunday evening when UNCG hosts the University of Texas and former UNCG player and current Longhorns head coach Chris Petrucelli in the second and final exhibition match of the season.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

AGATE

Goals by period                     1  2  3  Tot
----------------------------------
Clemson.............                    0  1  2 -  3
UNC Greensboro.....              1  1  1 -  3

SCORING SUMMARY:
1.  24:35 UNCG Mary Kate Towne (unassisted)
2.  46:18 CLEM Jenny Smith (Lydia Vandenbergh)
3.  54:22 UNCG Dacia Beachum (unassisted)
4.  63:20 UNCG Shannon Donovan (unassisted)
5.  77:27 CLEM Lydia Vandenbergh (unassisted)
6.  82:02 CLEM Elizabeth Jobe (unassisted)

Shots: Clemson 17, UNC Greensboro 10
Saves: Clemson 1 (Stephanie Permar 1), UNC Greensboro 9 (Katherine Ryan 8; TEAM 1)

-UNCG-