By Terrence Hinds, Staff Writer

Published in print Sept. 24, 2014

The Spartans defeated High Point in shutout fashion last Friday evening to improve their record to 3-4-2. Following a Sunday matinee against James Madison, the team extended their winning streak to two games as the Blue and Gold after a set of weekend matches improved to 4-4-2 on the season.

Friday evening, UNCG dominated the game early from the start and held firm control of their opponent for 90 minutes.

From the beginning stages of the game, all in attendance could tell that the High Point Panthers would struggle in this outer conference conflict last weekend.

On the field, UNCG drew first blood as the Blue and Gold’s first goal of the game was scored by junior  forward Chesney White on a setup pass from the senior defender Ashley Stokes.

White was able to control the ball and put it in the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season and her team high.

Succeeding offensively throughout the match, defensively, the Spartans excelled in limiting the number of shots taken by High Point.

UNCG held the Panthers to only seven shots on target the entire game. By contrast, the Spartans were able to get 12 shot on target themselves.

Making up for last weekend’s performance where the team looked sluggish at times in a one goal defeat to East Carolina, the Spartans were on point throughout the match.

Full of energy for the full 90 minutes, the team played an efficient first half and came out stronger in the second half.

Quickly jumping on their opponent in the second half, just three minutes into the second half UNCG was able to strike a ball in the back of the Panthers’ nets.

In the 48th minutes of the match, freshman midfielder Hannah Hoeksema made a great pass to Rebecca Burrows.

The sophomore midfielder was then able to put the ball past the Panther goal keeper for the score.

The score was a direct result of all activity in the midfield by the Spartans. They were able to control the ball for most of the game and were rewarded for it.

Feeding off the atmosphere of a strong home crowd which totaled to 680  , the Spartans were into this game from the start.

It is also a lot easier to play with a lead as opposed to previous games this season where the Blue and Gold would go down early in the game and then try to fight their way back into it.

The Spartans were especially on point with their set pieces. High Point coach Marty Beall was aware of UNCG’s success in  stated following the match he was upset with how his team defended the Spartans.

“I am disappointed in the way we defended set pieces” Beall said.

“We did not handle our responsibilities the way we need to.”

The Spartans had a total of five corner kicks in the game and scored their first goal off of one. They seemed to have a clear objective with each of their shot attempts.

Freshman midfielder Melanie Spensiero added the third goal of the game off of a free kick pass from sophomore forward Georgia Brown.

Shutting down any offensive sets of the Panthers, UNCG’s back line was stout last Friday night.

The Spartans sullied most of the High Point advances, not allowing the Panthers to get into any rhythm and flow in the game.

It was the best that the team has looked all season. The players seem to be getting a firmer grip on the way Coach Michael Coll has wanted them to play.

It seemed like they were adjusting earlier in the season but the seem to have found their stride.

After winning Sunday against  James Madison, UNCG finished its nonconference schedule for the year and will travel to Mercer on Friday to try to get over 500. for the first time this season.