Akimoto’s Late Strike Not Enough as Men’s Soccer Falls at UNC Asheville

Saturday, September 27

Asheville, NC

12:00 PM

Radford University

2-5-2, 1-1-0

UNC Asheville

5-3-1, 1-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Radford	0	1	1
UNC Asheville	1	1	2

Photo by: Ethan Neal

Akimoto’s Late Strike Not Enough as Men’s Soccer Falls at UNC Asheville

9/27/2025 3:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Radford men's soccer program got a late strike from Kenshin Akimoto in an attempted comeback Saturday afternoon at UNC Asheville, ultimately coming up just short in the 2-1 final.

KEY STATS

Akimoto scored in his second straight conference match-up, totaling three goals over the two matches.
Michael Radomski added an assist with the goal, his first point as a Highlander.
Just one of Radford's seven shots came on goal, resulting in the lone score.
It was a busy day in the net for Ben Miller, who also tallied a trio of saves.

PLAY BY PLAY
Looking to beat the weather, Radford and UNC Asheville moved their match forward Saturday a couple hours and it was a slow start for both squads. Through the first 25 minutes, the Bulldogs represented the only three shots taken with one coming on goal that Miller made a stop on.

In the 29th minute, UNC Asheville struck for their first goal of the afternoon into the high right corner. The 1-0 deficit would hold until half time, where lightning in the area forced a delay. No stranger to weather delays in conference play, the Highlanders looked to bounce back in the second half.

Radford got some of their first good looks of the game in the back 45, but UNC Asheville's defense held strong, allowing no shots on goal. In the 74th minute, the Bulldogs added another crucial strike that pushed their lead to 2-0.

Radford's offense went to work on a comeback. Akimoto provided that spark in the 81st minute, striking a shot crossed in by Michael Radomski into the lower right half of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1. Over the final 10 minutes the Highlanders weren't quite able to find that equalizing strike, falling one goal short on the road to the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT
Radford returns to Cupp Stadium this upcoming Tuesday, September 30th for another nonconference match against Campbell. Action will kick off at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.

STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD MEN'S SOCCER
For all the latest on Radford men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordMSOC), Instagram (@radfordmsoc), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Men's Soccer).

#RiseAndDefend