Keydets Run Out of Time against UNCA; Fall 1-0 in Final Conference Match

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Run Out of Time against UNCA; Fall 1-0 in Final Conference Match

Asheville, N.C. -- For the second straight game, the VMI men's soccer team mounted a second half offensive charge only to come up a little short. On Saturday, the Keydets tried to spoil Senior Day for UNC Asheville at Greenwood Field, but VMI wasn't able to capitalize on key scoring chances as they dropped a 1-0 decision. Senior forward Barrett Locke scored for the Bulldogs in the 49th minute in what would prove to be the game winner.

With the win, UNC Asheville picks up its second conference win of the season to improve to 2-4 in the Big South, and 5-10 overall. The win also snaps a four-game losing skid for the Bulldogs.

The Keydets fall to 2-13-1 overall, and finish winless in the conference at 0-7. As a result of the loss, VMI will be the eighth-seed in the Big South Conference Championship, and will face the regular season champion in the opening round.

The first half saw back and forth action with both teams creating some good scoring chances. For the Keydets, Shawn Graham and Mike Lloyd each had opportunities to put VMI on the scoreboard, but couldn't slip one past Bulldogs keeper Phillip Horner. UNCA also had a pair of good scoring chances, but VMI goalie Tommy Upton halted a pair of hard shots to keep the game tied at 0-0 after 45 minutes of play.

For the first half, UNCA held the advantage in shots 9-3, however, only put three of those shots on goal to the Keydets' two.

In the opening minutes of the second half, however, the Bulldogs were able to take advantage of another scoring chance when senior forward Barrett Locke put home a shot past Upton to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. The score was Locke's team-best sixth of the season.

The Keydets rallied in the final 40 minutes of the game, generating eight shots and six corners, but were unable to put one in the back of the net as they dropped the tough 1-0 decision to UNC Asheville.

For the game, UNC Asheville posted a 14-11 advantage in shots, while the Keydets took eight corners to the Bulldogs' four. Upton finished with four saves in goal for the Keydets, while Horner grabbed five for his fourth win and second shutout of the season.

As mentioned earlier, today's loss assures the Keydets of the #8 seed for the tournament, with its likely opponent being Winthrop University (11-2-3/5-0-1). Earlier this season, the Keydets limited the high-scoring Eagles to just a goal, but were unable to score and fell 1-0 in Rock Hill, S.C.

Prior to the tournament, VMI will wrap up its regular season schedule on Tuesday, October 24 when they travel to Farmville, Va. to square off with Longwood University (3-8-4). Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Longwood Athletics Complex.

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