ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The Presbyterian College men's soccer team scored twice in the second half against UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon, but the Bulldogs' four goals proved enough to top the Blue Hose in PC's season finale, 4-2.
PC ends the year at 3-14-0 overall and 3-6-0 in Big South Conference matches, the most wins in league play since playing its first full conference schedule in 2008. UNC Asheville ends the regular season with a 4-13-3 record on the year and 3-4-1 in league play.
Byron Quinatoa (Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Ecuador) scored his fifth goal of the season and Tommy Erwood (Leawood, Kan.) notched the first of his career on Saturday. Freshmen Ignacio Monchetti (Montevideo, Uruguay) and Josh Carter (Anchorage, Alaska) each picked up an assist as well.
Quinatoa's five goals and 11 points set new Division I-era records for the Blue Hose in those categories, eclipsing Michael Czulinski's four goals and one assist for nine points in 2008. No PC player had scored five goals in a season since current assistant coach Brandon Tucker tallied eight in 2005.
Monchetti's six assists also mark a new Division I-era assist record, overtaking Tucker's five assists from 2007. No PC player has assisted on six goals since Trent Weber last achieved the feat in 2003.
Starting goalkeeper Tanner Osborne (Lexington, S.C.) made three saves in 51:29 of work before Ethan Watson (Taylorsville, Ga.) entered the match and stopped one shot in relief.
PC and UNC Asheville stood tied in shots, 14-14, and the Blue Hose posted five shots on goal to the Bulldogs' eight. PC also enjoyed a healthy advantage in corner kicks, receiving 10 attempts to the home side's four.
UNC Asheville struck quickly, scoring twice in the first 16 minutes on goals from Bryan Bartels and Jake Hagedorn to take an early 2-0 lead.
PC took control of the rest of the first half despite not scoring, testing UNC Asheville goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen and looking pull closer on several corner kick opportunities.
The Bulldogs converted 1:02 into the second half on Hagedorn's second of the day to extend their lead to 3-0.
Monchetti took three straight corner kicks in a 20-second span but would help PC find the net a little later in the 64th minute. The freshman stole the ball away from Hurskainen and passed to a waiting Quinatoa, who finished from five yards out to put PC on the scoreboard, 3-1.
The Bulldogs regained their three-goal advantage in the 74th minute on a Braden Lassen goal from 10 yards away.
The Blue Hose began a late comeback bid as Erwood scored the first goal of his career in the 79th minute. Carter lifted a corner kick into the goal box and Erwood headed the cross in to pull PC closer, 4-2.
PC peppered the UNC Asheville end with four shots in the closing minutes but could not score as time ran out on a rally attempt.
