UNC Asheville Falls 4-2 at Radford Despite Mbamba Brace

RADFORD, Va. — Two goals from Kayoum Mbamba were not enough for UNC Asheville in Radford on Sunday, as the host Highlanders pulled away late for a 4-2 win over the Bulldogs in men’s soccer.

Radford struck first in the 13th minute, when Carson Danner finished a ball from Noel Zimbeva. The Bulldogs answered just before the half-hour mark. Arnor Hardarson won a turnover along the edge of the box and slid it through, Joseph Ling got a touch, and Mbamba tucked it away for his seventh goal of the year.

The equalizer held for only three minutes. Zimbeva scored on a feed from Skyler Denny and Mauricio Jimenez, and Radford carried a 2-1 lead into halftime.

Asheville drew level again in the 70th minute. Ian Smith sent a cross into the area, a Highlanders defender knocked it down, and Mbamba pounced for the first two-goal game of his Bulldogs career. Radford needed less than four minutes to go back in front, with Zimbeva converting a penalty kick in the 74th minute for his second of the day. Brice Hall added an insurance goal off a Jayce Pagano assist in the final minute.

Radford outshot Asheville 19-14 and put 10 on target to eight for the Bulldogs. Taichi Nogami, Tyler Ware and Mbamba led Asheville with three shots apiece, a career best for Nogami. Bulldogs goalkeeper Lucca Barros made six saves, and the visitors held an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.

The loss drops UNC Asheville to 9-4-1 overall and 3-2-0 in the Big South. The Bulldogs return home Saturday, Oct. 24, to face USC Upstate in the Ingles I-26 Rivalry at Greenwood Field, with a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Filed under: Asheville NC Sports News