Previewing the Weekend Tournaments

This is an important weekend for UNC Asheville sports, with the volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams each participating in their final tournament of the regular season.

The volleyball team is in Orangeburg, South Carolina, for the South Carolina State Spikefest Invitational. The Bulldogs got off to a strong start earlier this afternoon, blanking Winston-Salem State 3-0 for the second time this season. Asheville (9-4) was led in the match by senior Lauren Ficker, who recorded 9 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. Freshman Chelsie Kenley contributed 8 kills, and senior Raquel Miotto had 12 digs. The Bulldogs are back in action this afternoon against Hampton (currently underway). Hampton (2-7) has lost seven consecutive matches headed into the tournament. UNC Asheville faced the Pirates last year, at the USC Upstate tournament, and came away with a 3-0 victory, but the Bulldogs will have to contend with junior standouts Brittany Wynne (56 kills, 25 digs on the season) and Aaryn Harrison (55 kills, 24 digs). On Saturday morning, Asheville will square off against Providence. The Friars (4-9) have a four-game losing streak of their own they look to shed at the tournament. Top performers for Providence include sophomore middle blocker Lauren Fletcher, whose 137 kills and .275 attack percentage are both team highs, and sophomore setter Carly Morrison (31 kills, 352 assists, 89 digs). Because the Friars have not faced Asheville (or indeed any area school) in recent years, it is difficult to set expectations for the match. The same cannot be said, however, for Saturday afternoon’s rematch against Wofford. The Terriers (9-2) are now winners of eight straight, having just defeated Providence - a mark that will likely be extended to nine this evening when they take on Winston-Salem State. Wofford defeated Asheville in a five set battle during last weekend’s Winston-Salem State Invitational. Several Terriers turned in outstanding performances during that match, including senior outside hitter Shanna Hughes (24 kills, .468 attacking, 12 digs), junior outside hitter Stacy Byrd (12 kills, 20 digs), and senior libero Sarah Palmer (25 digs). The Bulldogs are still contending with injuries to a number of key players, including junior standout Kelsey Benorden. To have a shot at avenging their loss last weekend, Asheville will need a strong showing both from veteran leaders like Ficker and Miotto and from new talents like Kenley and fellow freshman Holly Shelton.

Prediction: Asheville 3, Hampton 1; Asheville 3, Providence 2; Wofford 3, Asheville 2.

Men’s soccer will be in Nashville later this evening, to open play in the Hyatt Place Select Invitational on the campus of Lipscomb University. The Bulldogs (1-4-1) will take on Lipscomb (2-2-1) at 7:30 this evening. The Bison are a strong squad whose only losses came at the hands of national powers Michigan and Michigan State. Asheville fell to Lipscomb by a 3-1 margin in Nashville last year. The Bison’s attack is anchored by sophomore Andrew Chamberlain and redshirt junior Miguel DaSilva, each of whom scored goals against the Bulldogs last season, along with freshman Alexander Faulk, who leads the team in goals scored. At noon on Sunday, the Bulldogs will take on Belmont (0-3-1). Asheville defeated the Bruins one year ago in Steve Cornish’s 100th career win. Branden Lassen had his first career goal in the 3-2 victory, and Bryan George recorded the game-winner. Belmont’s offensive leaders this season are freshman Brandon Tarr and sophomore Edgardo Padilla, while senior midfielder Justin Ferguson provides leadership on both ends of the pitch.

Prediction: Lipscomb 2, Asheville 1; Asheville 1, Belmont 0.

Finally, women’s soccer will be in Cullowhee this weekend for the Catamount Classic Tournament. The Bulldogs (3-2-0) will face two very tough opponents, beginning with a match this evening against Elon. The Phoenix (2-2-1) have an undefeated record thus far against Big South opponents, taking out High Point and Coastal Carolina earlier in the season. Players to watch for Elon include senior Molly Calpin and freshman Ceci Jensen, who lead the team in scoring, and senior Sydney Little, who has been outstanding in goal this season (17 saves, .850 save percentage). Up next will be the tournament-hosting Lady Catamounts (2-3-1) who have played very well this season against a number of national powerhouses. Western came up one goal shy of upsetting both Tennessee and Miami, and played Dayton to a draw earlier this month. The Lady Catamounts also defeated Gardner-Webb in their only matchup against a Big South program to date. Western’s stars include Rachael Shomper and Nikki Lombardo, who lead the team in scoring, and junior goalkeeper Caitlin Williams, who has played every minute of the season, recording 29 saves with a .829 save percentage, despite the caliber of the Lady Catamounts’ opponents. The Bulldogs did not face Western last year, but lost in each of the last three matches between the two. Extending back to last season, each of the last seven games for UNC Asheville have been decided by one goal, so there is reason to expect the Bulldogs be competitive this weekend. The play of freshman Chloe McCleary-Small (3 goals, 1 assist) has been very encouraging on the offensive end. If she and the other Asheville attackers are able to find the net this weekend, the Bulldogs will be an upset threat in both matches.

Prediction: Elon 2, Asheville 1; Western Carolina 1, Asheville 0.

Men's Soccer Ends Scoreless Streak; Can't Stop USC Upstate

The Bulldogs suffered a disappointing loss this afternoon at rainy Greenwood Field at the hands of USC Upstate. The Spartans opened up the match with an offensive barrage that led to two goals in the first 25 minutes. John Kadane scored the first goal of the match in the 6th minute, collecting a loose ball in the box and driving it home. Timo Foerster, the Spartans’ assists leader provided the insurance in the 26th minute with a 10 yard strike. Upstate controlled the tempo in the first half, and went into the break with a 6-2 shot advantage and 3-1 edge in corner kicks. The Bulldogs upped their intensity level noticeably in the second half, but were unable to convert on several scoring opportunities. Finally, in the 86th minute, Asheville was able to bring its 388 minute goal-less drought to an end. Redshirt freshman Eli Morrow scored his first career goal on an unassisted 15 yard shot that ricocheted off the left post and into the net. The Bulldogs continued their attack but were limited by a muddy field and strong goaltending by Upstate’s Pat Regna. Asheville held the statistical advantage in the second half, outshooting Upstate 7-2, and taking 6 corners to the Spartans’ 3.

Asheville coach Steve Cornish called the result “disappointing,” and expressed concerns about the effort level from his young team in the first half. The loss places the Bulldogs (1-4-1) firmly in 9th place in the Big South as they draw near the end of a harrowing non-conference slate. UNC Asheville will have the opportunity to break back into the win column over the weekend. The Bulldogs travel to Nashville for the Hyatt Place Select Invitational tournament, on the campus of Lipscomb University. Asheville will open the tournament against the hosting Bisons (2-2-1) on Friday evening, then square off against another Atlantic Sun foe in Belmont (0-3-1) on Sunday afternoon. The matches can be viewed live online through the Atlantic Sun’s IPTV service, at https://asun.neulion.com/asc/console.jsp.

Men's Soccer Preview: USC Upstate

UNC Asheville will have the chance to snap a three match winless streak tomorrow as they take on USC Upstate at Greenwood Field. The Bulldogs (1-3-1) will try to build on their weekend performance at the Davidson adidas Classic, where the young side lost two matches but performed very well against difficult opponents. Asheville fell 2-0 to Davidson (2-1-0) on Friday, despite holding the advantage in shots and corner kicks. On Sunday, the Bulldogs lost by the same margin to national powerhouse Georgetown. The Hoyas (3-1-1) outshot the Bulldogs 28-10, but Asheville kept things close behind a stout defensive effort. Head coach Steve Cornish was impressed with the team’s intensity, saying “our effort was superb in both matches, and our young team continues to get better with each match.” Two Asheville players were named to the Davidson all-tournament team – sophomore goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen, who recorded 15 saves during the two matches, and sophomore midfielder Connor Holzinger, who has emerged as a leader on offense and defense for the Bulldogs.

USC Upstate is winless at 0-3-0 heading into Wednesday’s match, a mark that might be misleading. The Spartans have been highly competitive in their previous matches, losing by only one goal in each. Upstate opened the season with a 3-2, double-overtime loss to Davidson – the same squad that defeated the Bulldogs 2-0 on Friday. Last week, the Spartans fell 1-0 to a Wofford team that Asheville played to a 0-0 draw earlier in the season. Upstate’s scoring leaders are Nick Buxton, a senior from England who leads the team with two goals, and Timo Foerster, a sophomore from Germany who has a team-high three assists. The Spartans have also benefitted from the netminding of senior Patrick Regna, who has tallied 13 saves on the year.

First priority for UNC Asheville will be to find a way to get the offense back on track; the Bulldogs have not scored a goal in their last 300 minutes of play, despite a number of quality opportunities in the Davidson tournament. Hurskainen has proved he can be counted on for a stellar performance in goal, but the outcome of the match will hinge on the offensive efforts of players like Holzinger, sophomore Bryan George, and freshman Zachary Odum, who leads the Bulldogs in scoring.

The match kicks off at 4pm tomorrow at Greenwood Field, and admission is free. For those unable to attend, the game will be streamed online on the Big South Network.

Prediction: UNC Asheville 2, USC Upstate 1

Sawbones Edge Jawbones at Justice Center

The Justice Center was the place to be on Sunday to watch an exciting basketball game. No the Bulldog men’s and women’s basketball teams were not opening the season early but both teams were on hand.

Sunday’s game was an exhibition game that saw doctors and lawyers square off in a Sawbones vs. Jawbones game to raise money for health care for the uninsured. Head Coach Betsy Blose coached the Jawbones, while the Sawbones were coached by former Bulldog great Randy Shepard. Coach Shepard had the edge on this one as the Sawbones edged the Jawbones, 27-26. Coach Blose has several close calls go against her team in the final minutes!!!

The event helped raise close to $10,000 and everyone had a great time for this important cause.

Please take a look at the photo gallery from the game: