HOT START CONTINUES FOR MEN'S SOCCER WITH 2-1 WIN OVER ASHEVILLE

BOX SCORE ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Radford used a big first half, highlighted by goals from Bernardo Ulmo (17') and Ramzi Dridi ('41), to beat UNC Asheville 2-1 on Saturday afternoon and remain perfect in Big South men's soccer play.

The Highlanders (8-2-3, 6-0-0 Big South) have matched the program's best Big South start by winning their first six league contests. The 1991 Highlanders were the last to win six in a row to start league play – the Big South schedule only consisted of six games that season.

Radford is also unbeaten in its last seven matches overall (6-0-1).

Alex Chu ('55) scored a second half goal for UNC Asheville (1-13-0, 0-7-0 BSC) to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance, but the Highlanders held on for the win.

"We had to really battle for the three points," head coach Marc Reeves said. "I think UNC Asheville is a solid team and well-coached group that played well, especially in the second half. We got away from some the things that have helped us play well this year and it nearly cost us the maximum points.

"At this stage of the season and in conference we are obviously very happy with the result but need to get back to working harder, sharing the ball and most importantly defending better as a group."

First half play was key for Radford – the Highlanders had five shots and four corner kicks over the first 17 minutes of the match, leading up to Ulmo's goal. The junior midfielder netted his 10th tally of the season at the 17:02 mark when Jamie Summers played a pass ahead to Ulmo, who had to just tap the ball in from five yards out to score.

Dridi extended Radford's lead to 2-0 just 4:42 before halftime when he scored off a pass from Ulmo – Dridi buried a hard shot from 25 yards out into the upper right half of the goal for his fourth of the season.

Radford outshot UNC Asheville 13-2 in the first half. Bulldogs goalkeeper Dan Jackson made eight saves to keep his team in the game.

In the second half, Asheville got on the board quickly to cut the Radford lead in half. Stabler Cochrane sent a ball to the penalty area for Chu, who was able to head it in to trim the Highlander lead to 2-1. The strike was the first of Chu's career.

Both of Asheville's shots on frame came in the opening 10 minutes of the second half – the Highlanders didn't allow many scoring opportunities the rest of the way.

Jackson finished the match with 11 saves for Asheville. The Highlanders had a 19-7 shot advantage and 12 corner kicks to the Bulldogs' four.

Radford looks to win its seventh straight Big South match on Saturday night at No. 23 High Point at 7:30 p.m.

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