UNCP soccer faces stunning loss to Queens

By David McGee
Staff Writer

The Men’s Soccer suffered an unexpected loss to Queens University from Charlotte Oct. 28 in a battle of wills on the field.

Demetrius Donald collected a goal and an assist to lead the regionally-ranked Royals of Queens University to a 2-1 overtime win over UNCP at the Irwin Belk Complex. Donald found a breaking Eric Blevens positioned at the top of the 18 yard line just 3:55 into the first overtime period.

The UNCP goalkeeper came out to cut off Bleven’s angle but the Royals forward kept his composure and scored his sixth game winner of the season to clinch the victory for the Royals.

Queens improves to 13-1-1 overall. UNCP now stands at 12-2 at the completion of the regular season.

Demetrius Donald, a Junior from Knoxville, Tenn. scored the first point 50 seconds into the game. Donald sent a floater from beyond the midfield line that soared over the head of UNCP goalie Richard Sallin. The ball found its way into the net on one bounce, giving the Royals an early 1-0 lead. Royals Assistant Coach Chad Hensen says, “It was heads-up one of the most impressive goals I have ever seen, extremely heads-up play.”

UNCP countered in the 31st minute when Trond Myrland sent home a perfect pass from Avery Croteau. Gabe Askins was also credited with an assist on the goal. The entire play was a great team effort. UNCP passed the ball around at the top of the 18 yard box with one and two touch passing, setting up Myrland’s bullet shot to the far post. It was the first time in seven games that Royals Goalkeeper Bruce Mottern allowed a goal.

Queens began to show how tired they were in the 2nd period by becoming careless with Eric Blevins receiving a yellow card in the 22nd minute and Carl Hunter also receiving a yellow card in the 17th minute for being too aggressive. Michael Hensen used his hands in the 17th returning the ball to UNCP.

As Sinan Tumkaya and Jan Broszeit made a huge play, everyone felt the intensity of the game. At the 20-yard line on Queens’s side when Tumkaya slide kicked the ball away from Queens passing it to Broszeit regaining possession for UNCP twice with this technique. It was an amazing display of their skills and the teamwork of UNCP. The Braves’ skill showed through again 42 minutes into the second period when Sallin went out long to save the ball. Queens intercepted the ball and went for the goal to no avail, as Braszeit and Fernando Abonza were right there to protect the goal as well.

Two minutes into overtime John Cooper nearly had the win for Pembroke yet his shot was just wide of the goal. A minute and a half later Donald and Blevens put the pressure on Sallin. Sallin dove for the ball as Blevens drove it and managed to slip it in ending the game with a 2-1 win.

Despite the loss, this is the first year in the history of UNCP that the Braves have won the Peach Belt Conference title. The team went 6-0 in conference games.

“UNCP is proud of the accomplishments of the 2004 Men’s Soccer Team,” Athletics Director Dan Kenney said. “After a spectacular 17-1-2 season and NCAA appearance in 2003, it is great that they can capture the school’s first outright PBC championship in 2004.”

The Braves host the Peach Belt Conference tournament on Nov. 5 and 6.