GREENSBORO N.C. - The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's soccer team wins a thriller against Dayton, 4-3, on Saturday at UNCG Soccer Stadium. Redishirt-Junior Steven Hernandez scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute.  

How it Happened: 

The beginning of the first half saw UNCG's trademark quick strike abilty as the Spartans raced out to an early 1-0 lead after a Hernandez opening goal in the fifth minute of action. Hernandez, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, scored his first goal of the season, and first since 2022 having suited up 48 games for the Blue and Gold in his three seasons for the Spartans. UNCG continued the offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the first half, taking 11 shots compared to Dayton's one.  

The second half saw the continued barrage of shots from the Spartans and eventually they struck home in the 47th minute with a Sigurd Eikenes Saeveraas  shot off a riqochet from the defender to extend the UNCG lead to 2-0. Dayton quickly responded in the 54th minute to bring the game back to just a one-goal affair. However, the Spartans' offense would not be denied as with a goal from Pablo Torre after a cross from Julien Le Bourdoulous again put the lead to two goals,3-1, in the 56th minute. However, Dayton again found a way to answer as the Flyers scored two goals in under three minutes of game time, one in the 68th minute while the other in the 70th, to put the score at 3-3 with 20 minutes left. In the dying minutes of the game, Enzo Dovlo was streaking down the field on a counter-attack then he ripped a shot from 18 feet out that was blocked into the defender. However, the ball found Hernandez just inside the penalty area and he blasted a shot past the keeper in the 89th minute of play to give the Spartans the win right under the buzzer. 

By the numbers:  

• The Spartans recorded a season-best 25 shots. 

• UNCG had the advantage in corner kicks taken, 13-1.  

• Dayton bested UNCG in saves, 6-2. 

• Saturday's game was Hernandez' first multi-goal game and game-winning goal of his career. 

Records: 

UNCG: 4-0-1, (0-0-0 SoCon) 
Dayton: 1-1-3, (0-0-0 A-10) 
 

Up Next: 

The UNCG men's soccer team will remain at home as they welcome South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 13 at UNCG Soccer Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m with a food truck in attendance.