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Mauricio Rancel
Radford Athletics Communications

Men's Soccer

NATIONALLY-RANKED CHARLOTTE EDGES RADFORD

BOX SCORE |

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Radford head coach Marc Reeves knew the opening weekend of the season would feature a pair of tough tests on the road for the Highlanders. And for the second time in three days, RU gave a high-quality opponent all it could handle, but suffered a one-goal loss. Sunday's match at No. 23 Charlotte ended with the 49ers posting a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought contest for both squads.

"This was a tough weekend for us in many ways," Reeves said. "But I believe our group will come out stronger from the experience in the long run."

9148Radford responded after Charlotte opened the scoring in the 17th minute forcing an intentional hand ball inside the box by a 49er defender, which resulted in a penalty kick and an immediate red card. Mauricio Rancel capitalized on the opportunity to square the game at 1-1 beating the keeper top shelf on the penalty in the 21st minute. The goal was the first of his career.

The Highlanders came within a few feet of taking the lead in the final minutes of the first half. Ramzi Dridi sailed a big shot just high over the frame that had Charlotte's keeper beat, but did not find the back of the net.

Despite being a player down, Charlotte found a way to add one more goal on a one-timer from the top of the box that beat Aitor Pouseu Blanco low and to his left. The game-winner came in the 62nd minute. Pouseu Blanco made three saves on the night.

Radford again rallied. The Highlanders applied intense pressure on Charlotte in the game's final 10 minutes, including three straight corner kicks in the 86th, but all were turned away by the 49ers.

"I give credit to them for finding a way. I am sure they will have a great season," Reeves said. "Tonight was a hard fought game in which we needed to be better in key moments and generally have more toughness and effort from the front half of our team."

Both teams finished with seven shots on the night. Charlotte held a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal, but RU managed a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

Radford will have the week to prepare for another tough road contest as the Highlanders will travel Saturday to Johnson City, Tenn. to face East Tennessee State for a 7:00 p.m. start.

"Our focus will be to get healthy, improve in some key areas, and prepare well for our next tough test at ETSU, who is off to a great start," Reeves concluded.
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