November 22, 1998
SEATTLE - The second-ranked Washington men's soccer team fell to UNC Greensboro, 2-1, in steady rain at the Husky Soccer Field in NCAA first round action on Sunday. The Spartans, which is ranked 16th and has the highest scoring offense in Division I soccer, improves to 19-3-2 overall and will face Santa Clara in second round action. UW concludes it season at 16-4.
The Huskies jumped out to a quick lead, however, in front of 1,104 loyal fans. Freshman Bryn Ritchie headed in a ball from senior Viet Nguyen and junior Rees Bettinger at 4:26 to put UW up, 1-0.
The equalizer came at 17:03 off the foot of UNCG's Siggi Eyjolfsson. After much action close to the net, Alejandro Moreno dished off to Eyjolfsson, who blasted in from close range his 26th goal of the season.
Momentum shifted often throughout the game, with neither team dominating for an extended period. UNC Greensboro then broke the tie at 73:23, when Matt Farris' corner shot deflected off two heads, first of teammate Justin Wisdo and then of UW's Morgan McCoy, before finding the back of the net. That score despite several good looks at the goal by UW.
Both teams recorded 15 shots and five saves on the game, with UW posting a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.
"I give full credit to UNC Greensboro," UW coach Dean Wurzberger said. "The two goals they scored was not characteristic of how we play defense. The first was on indecision, and the second went off one of our players. It seemed like we were caught short on energy and ability to finish. We weren't good enough today. It doesn't matter if you're home or away, it's just the best team on the day, and that wasn't us today."
College Men's Soccer
Scoring--1, UW, Bryn Ritchie (Viet Nguyen, Rees Bettinger), 4:26;
Shots--UW 15, UNCG 15.
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