Sergio Guerra, Sports Editor/Photographer
Several UNCG Division I programs were at home this week for Southern Conference clashes, including UNCG Volleyball, which kicked off conference play this weekend with matches against the Furman Paladins and the Samford Bulldogs. Meanwhile, No. 17 UNCG Men’s Soccer team hosted Davidson College in a match to climb national ranks.
UNCG Men’s Soccer Looking to Climb National Rankings
No. 17 UNCG Men’s Soccer was in action last Tuesday, September 23, against Davidson College at UNCG Soccer Stadium. The Spartans’ clinical first half saw them put three past the visitors in the first 35 minutes of the match, courtesy of Issah Haruna, Arnaud Tattevin, and – UNCG Men’s Soccer leading goal scorer – Enzo Dovlo.
The Spartans struck first in the 24th minute through Issah Haruna, marking his first goal of the 2025 season. The midfielder was assisted by Steven Hernandez, who ran down the left flank and cut the ball across the penalty area to find Haruna. The second goal was scored by Arnaud Tattevin in the 29th minute, who has found the back of the net five times this season. Finally, Enzo Dovlo netted his seventh goal of the season in the 33rd minute – ranking him seventh in the NCAA DI top goal scorers as of September 25.
Julien Le Bourdoulous put in a commanding shift for the Spartans against Davidson, registering two assists for Dovlo’s and Tattevin’s goals. The French midfielder now has four assists this season – a team high.
UNCG Men’s Soccer improved their record to 6-1-1 thanks to the result against Davidson College. The team will now be shifting gears and hitting the road for a local matchup against Elon on Tuesday, September 30. Elon University will be hoping to build some momentum after drawing 0-0 with Campbell in conference play on Friday night.
UNCG Volleyball Kicks off SoCon Play
UNCG Volleyball was in action this weekend to kick off its Southern Conference campaign against Furman and Samford at home. The first matchup was against the Furman Paladins on Thursday, September 25. Despite a strong start from the Spartans and winning the first set convincingly (25-17), the Paladins dominated proceedings and won the match 3-1, ending the Spartans’ unbeaten streak at home. UNCG’s Allie Sweet led the match in kills (14) while Gabby Seeds led in assists (35).
The Spartans had the opportunity to turn around the disappointing start to Southern Conference play with their next matchup against Samford – and they would take it. UNCG Volleyball swept Samford with a 3-0 scoreline, headlined by a double-double from senior McKenna Timmerman (10 kills, 11 digs). Meanwhile, Allie Sweet led the team in kills with 12 and ranks first in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball rankings in attacks per set with 12.79.
The result against Samford means that UNCG Volleyball splits its SoCon opening weekend 1-1 with its overall record currently sitting at 8-5. The Spartans are on the road for their next two Southern Conference matchups against Chattanooga (1-1) on October 3 and Western Carolina (1-1) on October 4.
UNCG Women’s Soccer Draws with Chattanooga
UNCG Women’s Soccer was in action on Friday, September 26, to face off against Southern Conference rivals Chattanooga, who had a record of 1-1-0 going into this match. The Spartans went into half time trailing 1-0, courtesy of Chattanooga’s Caroline Richvalsky scoring in the first five minutes of the match. However, a brace from UNCG’s Rina Ogimoto would turn the match around before Chattanooga’s Nicole Solete pulled it level in the 75th minute.
Rina Ogimoto’s two goals in the second half took her up to five goals in the 2025 season. The junior leads the Spartans in goals scored and assists (two assists in 2025). The midfielder’s contributions have brought UNCG Women’s Soccer to four points and a 1-1-1 record in SoCon play. The Spartans will stay at home to face Furman on October 2 at 6:00 pm.
THE CAROLINIAN 