University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Belmont
Men's Soccer Ties Belmont, 2-2 - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site
01.01.1970 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 9, 2005
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville freshman forward Scott Szymanksi scored twice as the Bulldogs settled for a 2-2 tie with Belmont in men's soccer action at Greenwood Field Friday afternoon.
Asheville (0-0-1) led 2-1 late in regulation but Bruins forward Channing Twyner scored on a breakaway with 1:20 left to tie the game at 2-2. The assist on the goal went to midfielder Ian Schinelli.
Belmont (1-1-1) had chance to win in the first overtime period but Mete Ozkan hit the goalpost. Drew Ducker had a breakaway in the second overtime period but Asheville goalkeeper Michael Pereira made the save to keep the match tied.
Pereira was sensational for the Bulldogs as he made 10 saves and stopped five Belmont breakaways. He made eight saves in the second half and one in each overtime period.
"We battled hard today and probably fortunate to come out with a tie," commented Asheville head coach Steve Cornish. "However, it's disappointing to lead so late in regulation and to concede a goal. We needed to play a little better there and our youth might have showed there at the end.
"Belmont is an excellent team and will win a lot of matches this year," added Cornish. "They really came after us in the second half and in parts of overtime. Michael Pereira was just fantastic for us.
UNC Asheville opened the scoring late in the first half. A.J. Klerekoper sent a long pass to Caleb Alexander. Alexander made a nice pass to fellow freshman Syzmanski who scored from five yards out to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. The goal came at 34:37.
Belmont knotted the match at 1-1 at the 59:38 mark when J.P. Rodrigues scored off a corner kick. Drew Ducker earned an assist on the goal.
Szymanski gave the Bulldogs the lead again when he scored at the 76:33 mark off a pass from Daniel Bandoly. The Asheville native playing in his first collegiate soccer game scored on a blast from 10 yards out.
"We really had a nice game from Scott Szymanski," commented Cornish. "He was very busy out there today and played well."
The Bulldogs tried to hang on and looked like they might do it before Twyner got loose and scored at the 88:40 mark.
The Bulldogs play at home Sunday afternoon against Lipscomb starting at 1 p.m. The Bruins head to Spartanburg, S.C. to battle Wofford College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
