Ortiz Scores Twice in Women’s Soccer’s Loss to Western Carolina
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team saw senior Ryen Ortiz score twice, but Western Carolina came out on top with a 4-2 victory in The Southern Conference (SoCon) action on Sunday afternoon at Catamount Sports Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Western Carolina took advantage of an early opportunity on their attacking half just 3:49 into the game. The Catamounts' Ava Robitalle slipped the ball to Isabella DeMarco who was at the top of the 18-yard box, striking the ball to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. After an initial shot that UNCG's Emma Malone saved, Western Carolina's Milla Syska pushed the ball over the line for a 2-0 advantage at 23:05. With just 30 seconds left in the first half, the Catamounts were called for a foul on the left side of the box. Taylor Mentzer sent the ball in and Ryen Ortiz jumped, heading the ball into the net to cut the deficit, 2-1.
In the first five minutes of the second half, the Spartans' Laney Smith connected on two shots and the Catamounts put up two of their own. In the 59th minute, DeMarco used her speed to get ahead and then cut a pass back inside of the box giving Lucie Bertrand a chance to strike the ball giving Western Carolina a two-goal lead again, 3-1. Just 47 seconds later, UNCG moved the ball down field with ease and Mairead Gayer lifted a ball into open space for Ortiz. The senior ripped a shot to the left upper 90, cutting the deficit to 3-2. With seven minutes left, the Catamounts added one final goal from DeMarco for a 4-2 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Ortiz scored her second and third goals of the season. She now has six goals in her career.
- Mentzer tallied her second assist of the season.
- The Catamounts outshot the Spartans, 29-12.
- Western Carolina was called for eight fouls and UNCG was called for six.
- The Catamounts held the advantage in corner kicks, 4-2.
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UP NEXT
UNCG will conclude the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 26, hosting Samford at 2:00 p.m. at UNCG Soccer Stadium.
This will be a Carolina Core night, students can enter to win a bookstore prize pack, concessions will have a buy one, get one free hotdog deal and a camper reunion! All regular season home games are free admission!
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