PC-UNC Asheville Box Score
CLINTON, S.C. ? Michael Czulinski scored for the Blue Hose in the 85th minute to cut UNC Asheville's lead in half, but it was not enough as PC fell 2-1 to UNC Asheville in Big South Conference action on Tuesday evening at Martin Stadium.
The Blue Hose controlled play for the final 10 minutes of the match, but could not erase the two-goal deficit. Czulinski's (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) goal came during a stretch when the Bulldogs were trying their best to hold off the PC attack.
Czulinski was able to acquire the goal when he opportunistically volleyed a one-timer off the UNC Asheville goalkeeper's outstretched feet and into the back of the net.
The Blue Hose would continue their push over the final five minutes, but UNC Asheville was able to withstand the PC rally to improve to 2-0 in league play and 4-4-2 overall.
The loss dropped the Blue Hose to 2-9-1 overall and 0-4 in league action.
PC finished with one more shot than the Bulldogs in the contest at 9-8, but UNC Asheville held the advantage in corner kicks at 9-8.
Both squads had three shots each in the first half. PC took six shots to the Bulldogs' five in the second stanza.
UNC Asheville first placed itself on the scoreboard in the 35th minute when Scott Szymanski collected the first of his two goals. Syzmanski's goal was the result of a neatly timed flick from J.W. Gallagher, which left him one-on-one with the PC goalkeeper. Szymanski calmly placed the ball into the right corner of the net to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs would extend their lead to 2-0 in the first two minutes of the second half when Jake Sides connected with Szymanski for the game-winning goal.
The victory by UNC Asheville marks the first time in the series history that one of the teams has picked up a win. The two tied 3-3 last year in Asheville, N.C. in the first ever meeting between the two programs.
PC will next take on ACC power NC State in Raleigh, N.C. at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
After their meeting with the Wolfpack the Blue Hose will have two straight home games during the regular season for the first time since the institutional move to NCAA Division I last season.
PC will play host to conference foes Liberty (Oct. 18) and High Point (Oct. 22) at Martin Stadium before closing out the year with three of its final four matches on the season on the road.
