By Dai-shon Donald, Reporter
Braves Soccer Preview
After finishing first in Conference Carolinas with fifteen victories, Braves seek to return to the conference finals. Last season, the Braves won in a shutout performance to secure their first championship in the new conference. Although the Braves would later go down after just one game in the NCAA tournament, Coach Lars Andersson still believes they’re headed in the right direction and is confident in this team’s abilities.
Recently in the Conference Carolina’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the 2022 season, Braves were favored to repeat as champions. Braves Athletic Director, Dick Christy is rather grateful for the respect from rival programs, but still believes work must be done to have success.
“Our key moving forward is for our team to stay hungry and not invest too much thought in preseason polls, what they’ve been doing is what will produce the outcomes,” Dick Christy said.
In a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, Braves soccer traveled to Wingate for their second game of the new season. Last year, Wingate concluded their 2021 season, 11-6. In last year’s matchup with the Braves, UNCP defeated Wingate in a 1-0 victory. This year, Wingate seems to be more direct in their on-field play. After much scouting, Coach Andersson noticed a difference in this year’s squad compared to last year. The Braves hoped to approach them differently and adjust to Wingate’s new style of play.
“Wingate plays completely differently this year. They were a very possessional-oriented team than before. They are a very direct team now. So we have to set differently and we have to approach them a little bit differently… their overall philosophy has changed,” Lars Andersson said.
With both squads having a new-look at each other, the Braves held high importance to this early season matchup. Last season, the Braves started their season 1-3. Coach Andersson said his focus is getting his team to a better start this year. After three straight years with slow starts, he hopes to begin on a better run to open this year’s season.
Braves Soccer Takes on Wingate Bulldogs
In their contest against Wingate, Braves had a bit of a rocky showing throughout the matchup. In just roughly 24 minutes into the 1st period, Braves allowed an opening goal as midfielder Caroline Peters gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 start. Shortly after at the 29:30 mark, Braves Ashleigh Harris had a chance to tie the game with a penalty kick. The PK would result in a miss as it would be saved by Bulldog’s Goalkeeper Katrine Thisgaard.
Braves rough start continued as the Bulldogs scored once more in the first period. With only seven minutes from their previous goal, Forward Rubio Garcia helped expand the lead with a quick shot to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.
The Braves came out with a more defensive approach in the 2nd period. With back-to-back saves, Braves Goalkeeper Chiara Coppin displayed her efforts by defending multiple shots by the Bulldogs.
Although their defense improved in the closing period, the Braves struggled to maintain momentum on offense. In the early stages of the 2nd period, the Braves only attempted two shots at the goal.
At the 58:22 mark, the Bulldogs increased their lead to a 3-0 margin. Forward Rubio Garcia gave the Bulldogs a much-needed insurance goal in the late stages of the matchup. Garcia was able to notch her second goal of the day – this time coming off an assist from Midfielder Brianna Ditillo.
In an attempt, the Braves tried to lessen the gap on the board but the Bulldogs defense overpowered any hopes of a comeback.
As the final minute ticked upwards, the Bulldogs went on to defeat the Braves 3-0. After a standout performance by forward Rubio Garcia, the Bulldogs won comfortably in a shutout win.
The Braves are now 1-1 in the start of the new season. Their next matchup is an away game against Shaw University on September 5th. The Shaw Bears hold an 0-2 record as of today. Braves soccer looks to get back on track in the upcoming matchup.