GREENSBORO, N.C. - Justin Smith's goal with six seconds remaining
in regulation forced overtime Tuesday night as Campbell and UNC
Greensboro played to a 1-1 draw at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
A lightning threat of nearly two hours delayed the conclusion of
the extra periods until 11:03 p.m.
A sophomore from Cary and Green Hope High School, Smith nodded home
a corner kick from Mitchell Cardenas for his first goal of the
season to cap an eventful final eight minutes of the second
period.
Then; with 2:59 remaining in the first overtime, the game was
halted by lightning and delayed nearly two hours before it resumed
around 10:50 p.m. The game, which started at 7:00 p.m., took 4:03
to complete, including the delay.
Ross Burki put the Spartans (4-2-1) in front in the 82nd minute
when he gathered a loose ball in the Campbell box and beat keeper
Ryan Amons from about 12 yards out for his first goal of the
season.
Campbell (1-2-3) held a 7-5 edge in shots in the first half, but
neither team had an attempt on target in the final period until
Burki's strike. UNCG finished the contest with a 16-13 edge in
shots, but saw its three-match win streak halted. Campbell,
which held a slim 5-4 margin in attempts on target, is unbeaten in
two-straight after Saturday's 2-1 victory over Charlotte.
Before the delay, Khalil Johnson and Smith both forced saves from
UNCG keeper Peyton Ford. After play resumed, UNCG's Will Mack and
Hakan Ilhan both shot wide and the game remained tied after 100
minutes of play.
UNCG threatened in the 110th minute, but the Camels were able to
clear a pair of corner kicks to secure the draw.
Wednesday's contest marked Campbell's sixth consecutive game
against an opponent ranked in the NSCAA regional polls. UNCG was
rated eighth in this week's South Region listing.
Amons made three saves in the Campbell nets. Ford had four stops
for UNCG. Wednesday's contest marked Campbell's third game to
extend into overtime in six outings this year.
The teams squared off in both the 1992 (Campbell 5-0) and 1993
(UNCG 2-1) Big South finals before CU left the league for the
Atlantic Sun Conference and UNCG joined the Southern
Conference.
UNCG holds a 14-4-2 edge in the all-time series and Wednesday's
draw ended a 10-match losing streak for CU against the Spartans.
CU's last win over UNCG was by a 4-2 score in 1994 at Buies
Creek.
Campbell returns to action Saturday in a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at home
against Appalachian State.
