Sergio Guerra, Sports Editor/Photographer 

UNCG Men’s Soccer was back in action at UNCG Soccer Stadium during Homecoming weekend to take on Wofford in Southern Conference play. In front of a crowd of over 1,500, the UNCG Spartans made it a routine victory that night, comfortably putting three past the Terriers to win 3–0. Meanwhile, UNCG Volleyball competed in a five-set thriller against ETSU, and Women’s Soccer was on the road facing Western Carolina in the Southern Conference. 

UNCG’s National Ranking 

In the seventh national poll of the season, United Soccer Coaches ranked UNCG Men’s Soccer 23^rd in the nation while cross-city rivals, High Point University, were ranked fifth. The two sides faced off the very next day in Greensboro with the UNCG Spartans winning the derby 2-0. The result improved UNCG’s record and launched them into 19^th in the nation in the most recent poll. 

Homecoming Win 

The Spartans were pitted against the Wofford Terriers on Saturday, October 18^th, during Homecoming weekend. The Terriers were 1-1-0 in SoCon going into this matchup (5-8-1 across all competitions), with the Spartans boasting the same record in conference action (8-2-3 across all competitions).  

UNCG struck first in the 29^th minute through Enzo Dovlo, the Spartans’ leading goal scorer, for his eighth goal of the season. The score would remain 1-0 until the second half when Issah Haruna won a penalty kick for UNCG which was converted by Kimito Fritz for his first goal of the season. Sigurd Saeveraas would put an exclamation point on the victory with a goal in the 89^th minute. 

The result improves UNCG’s record to 9-2-3 across all competitions and 2-1-0 in Southern Conference action.  

Massive Matchup against NC State 

UNCG Men’s Soccer will be on the road for its next matchup on Tuesday, October 21^st, against nationally ranked NC State University. The Wolfpack is currently ranked sixth in the nation, according to the latest poll by United Soccer Coaches. While the game will not affect the Southern Conference standings, it does present an opportunity for UNCG Men’s Soccer to climb the national rankings. 

Around the Grounds 

Homecoming weekend also saw UNCG Volleyball in a five-set thriller against ETSU that led to a heartbreaking 3–2 defeat for the Spartans. It was a back-and-forth match with the two sides trading sets. Allie Sweet led the Spartans in kills and digs with 18 and 26, respectively, while Connore’ Siler-Nixon put up a dominant defensive performance with six blocks—second highest in the match. Despite a solid showing from UNCG, ETSU would win in the fifth and final set with a score of 15–13. 

UNCG Women’s Soccer was on the road this weekend against Western Carolina on October 19^th for the Spartans’ second-to-last game of the regular season. Ryen Ortiz’s brace would not be enough as UNCG falls 4–2. UNCG Women’s Soccer will have the chance to bounce back at home on October 26^th in the last regular season match of the season against the Samford Bulldogs.