#MSOC Returns Home Against UNC Asheville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team returns home to Jacksonville for a nonconference match against UNC Asheville on Saturday evening at Patton Park. The Ospreys enter the weekend 2-0-1 and are off to the best start in their Division I history.

In its last match, North Florida played UCF to a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation, forcing overtime for just the second time in the series. North Florida wasted little time as Pedro Carneiro put the ball in the top left corner of the goal just over the head of the goalkeeper 25 seconds into overtime to give the Ospreys a 1-0 victory at the UCF Soccer Complex on Sunday evening.

The victory was the second for the Ospreys in the series with the last win a 3-2 double overtime victory in Jacksonville in 2007. North Florida improved to 2-0-1 overall – the best start since 2002 in program history. UNF is unbeaten after three matches for the first time since turning Division I in 2005.

Brad Sienkiewicz, who earned Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his efforts, posted his first shutout of the season at goal for the Ospreys. The graduate student posted five saves and knocked away several crosses to preserve the shutout. The shutout was the third under head coach Derek Marinatos UNF tenure. Last season, Sienkiewicz and Kyle Nasta combined for a shutout against Florida Atlantic (W, 1-0) in Jacksonville.

Offensively, North Florida recorded 11 shots on the night, including four shots on goal. Alex Morrell, who had the assist on the golden goal, paced the squad with four shots, including a shot on goal. Carneiro finished the match with two shots, recording his first match-winning goal of his North Florida career. Sean Young and Jean Rivaroli each finished the match with a shot on goal each.

The match was a defensive battle the entire night. In the first half, North Florida had a 6-to-4 advantage in shots. Both teams recorded a pair of shots on goal with each goalie notching two saves. Morrell finished the half with a team-high four shots, including a shot on goal.

Regulation ended with the Ospreys posting 10 shots, compared to 11 by the Knights. Sienkiewicz posted five saves through 90 minutes with several clears that thwarted the potent UCF offensive attack.

Scouting the Opposition:
Asheville (2-2-0) picked up an important road win on Tuesday when the Bulldogs slipped past USC Upstate 2-1. Quentin Reynolds scored his first career goal in the 88th minute to give Matt Kern's club the victory. Kenneth Lingerfelt also scored for Asheville. Sophomore goalkeeper Dan Jackson made five saves in the win.

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#MSOC Returns Home Against UNC Asheville

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