Coastal Carolina Defeats #15 UNCG, 4-2
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Behind two goals from Pedro Ribeiro along with a goal each from Agust Arnarson and Ricky Garbanzo, the Coastal Carolina men’s soccer team handed 15th-ranked UNC Greensboro a 4-2 loss Saturday evening at UNC Greensboro Soccer Stadium.
The win is Coastal second in as many games and moves the Chanticleers to 3-2-0 (0-0-0 Big South) on the season. In addition, Coastal is now 2-2 against top-25 ranked opponents this season. The loss drops UNCG to 3-2-0 (0-0-0 Southern) on the campaign.
Coastal broke the initial scoreless tie in the 16th minute as Arnarson, a sophomore, found the back of the net for the first time as a Chanticleer. Arnarson easy slotted home a loose ball in the box after Garbanzo’s blast from the top of the box was initially saved by UNCG’s Stephen Moffitt.
UNCG answered back at the 25:22 minute mark with Brian Graham’s score. Graham was on the receiving end of a David Rettinger long ball that dropped in behind Coastal’s backline. Graham took a couple touches toward the goal before chipping the ball over Coastal’s Devin Cook to knot the score at 1-1.
Garbanzo nearly put the Chants back in front in the 29th minute after receiving a pass in the box by Justin Portillo. Garbanzo made his defender miss, but the falling defender was able to get his foot on Garbanzo’s shot and knock it over the crossbar.
Ribeiro gave Coastal a 2-1 lead at the 37:49 mark of the first half with his third goal of the season. Portillo’s sixth corner attempt of the evening was sent perfectly into the box where it was met by Ribeiro’s left foot in mid-air. Ribeiro’s shot tucked inside the near post for his third scoring strike in as many games.
Garbanzo made the score 3-1 in the Chanticleers’ favor in 3:26 into the second half. Garbanzo converted a penalty kick after UNCG was whistled for a handball in the box. The goal was Garbanzo’s first of the season and the 20th of his collegiate career.
Ribeiro found his second goal of the night, marking his first multi-goal game of the season, in the 54th minute to give Coastal a 4-1 advantage on the scoreboard. Again, the goal developed off a Portillo corner kick served into the box. Portillo’s kick was knocked around the box, but not cleared by the UNCG defense before finding the head of Coastal’s Uchenna Uzo. Uzo knocked the ball down to the foot of Ribeiro, who blasted it into the net from eight yards out.
Uzo made his defensive presence felt minutes later as he saved a prime UNCG scoring opportunity. The Spartan’s Graham appeared to have a shot on an open net after beating the keeper in a 1v1 situation. However, the hard-charging Uzo was able to get his foot in front of Graham’s shot to deflect it harmlessly away.
UNCG pulled back to a two goal deficit at 4-2 in the 70th minute off the foot of Dustin Gamradt. Gamradt received a pass into the left side of the 18-yard box from Graham. Gamradt then hit a low-lying shot from 16-yards away that beat Cook to the far side netting. The goal came as part of UNCG’s transition game following a Coastal turnover in its attacking third.
Coastal finished the match with a 21-10 lead in shots, including a 7-4 edge in shots on frame. Coastal also dominated in corner opportunities, tallying 10 to UNCG’s one.
Coastal’s Devin Cook (2-2-0) was credited with the win after recording one save. UNCG’s Stephen Moffit (3-2-0) was saddled the loss after surrendering each of Coastal four goals.
Coastal Carolina continues its current three-game road stand at Presbyterian College on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Kickoff in Clinton, S.C., is slated for 6 p.m. The Chanticleers defeated the Blue Hose 5-0 in the sides’ last meeting in the Quarterfinal Round of the 2012 Big South Tournament, moving Coastal’s edge in the all-time series to 10-1-1.
Trending Videos
Headlines
- Recruiting Roundup: November 18-24
- Tracking Division I Coaching Changes
- Women's DI Tournament Round Two Preview
- ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch
- Men's NCAA Tournament Region 4 Preview
- Commitments: Moving Back to Michigan
- Top Pro Prospects in Men's First Round
- Men's NCAA Tournament Region 3 Preview
- Club Soccer Standouts: November 15-17
- Women's Division I NCAA Tournament Bracket