Men’s Soccer Drops Season Opener to Charlotte, 5-1

Friday, August 29

Davidson, N.C.

7:15 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

0-1-0

Charlotte

1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Charlotte	2	3	5
Davidson	1	0	1

Men’s Soccer Drops Season Opener to Charlotte, 5-1

8/29/2008 11:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Matt Harris - Assistant SID

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Despite jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Davidson men's soccer team was unable to hold on and fell to the Charlotte 49ers, 5-1, in the season's first game Friday night at Alumni Stadium.

The 'Cats struck first in the match, when sophomore Josh Zipin collected a rebound in front of the net and passed a through ball into the six-yard box, where it was picked up by senior Whitey Bolan, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper from just outside the six-yard box for the score. The assist for Zipin was his first career point, and Bolan's goal was the second of his Wildcat career.

Davidson was able to control much of the tempo throughout the first 25 minutes of the match, with their play highlighted by the goal. Head Coach Matt Spear was impressed with his team's start.

“We had a really positive start tonight,” he said. “We showed a lot of good things and were able to see some of our newly implemented strategies work, all of which was highlighted by a great goal by Whitey.”

Charlotte struck back right before halftime, notching a pair of goals in a four-minute span between the 35 and 39 minute marks, to pull ahead 2-1 at the break, a lead they would keep for the rest of the match.

“They really fed off their scoring tonight,” said Spear. “Right after their second goal, you could see their confidence increasing.”

The 49ers put up three more goals in the second half, the last coming with less than one minute remaining, when Matt Weston's shot from outside the penalty box just caught the inside of the net, out of the reach of Davidson goalkeeper Robby Goldsberry, who recorded five saves on the night.

In the first match of the Davidson adidias Classic, the College of Charleston scored a goal in each half to defeat Marshall, 2-0.

The Wildcats will look to pick up their first win of the season when they face off against Marshall on Sunday afternoon to start the second day of the adidas Classic. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY
19:11 DAV Whitey Bolan (Josh Zipin)
34:47 CHA Luke Exley (Ryan Swaim)
38:02 CHA Jason Hawes (Chris Salvaggione)
51:03 CHA Andres Cuero (Jason Hawes)
64:47 CHA Chris Salvaggione (Tyler Duncan)
89:29 CHA Matt Weston (unassisted)