CARY, NC – The William Peace men's soccer team hosted Greensboro College Wednesday night and more than held their own against the top team in the conference. Enrique Ochoa scored two first half goals and the Pacers held the Pride scoreless in the second, but it wasn't quite enough as they fell, 3-2.
"The intensity level was where it needed to be today, and overall, it was probably our best 90 minute showing of the year," said head coach Zane Hill. "We would have liked more offense in the second half, but we put defense over possession and that last pass just wasn't there as much as it was in the first."
WPU (3-8, 1-6 USAS) took an early lead as Ochoa scored first in the 8th minute. Colin Zacharzuk dropped it off to Ochoa at the top of the 18 yard box, and he tucked it away for his first career goal as a Pacer.
Ochoa scored his second goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 38th , but unfortunately, Greensboro (8-6, 6-1 USAS) had already gone ahead scoring three goals in a 15 minute span.
"We made a couple bad passes up top and then we got caught watching," Hill explained. "There can't be any sleeping, and we got caught in transition three times."
Robbie Barnes tied the game in the 16th minute. Barnes lofted a ball into the box which he appeared to be playing to one of his teammates, but it somehow found the back of the net instead.
George Dimopoulos made it 2-1 in the 22nd with the assistance of Shaun Watt, and then Craig Gage netted Greensboro's final goal in the 31st.
"Despite the results, I'm very proud of the boys and they should be very proud of their efforts," Hill added. "They showed me their true colors and now we're going to expect that from here on out…it should set us up for success in the final two weeks as we try to make a run at the tournament."
The Pacers men's soccer team will host a pair of games this weekend starting with North Carolina Wesleyan at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. They'll take on Division II opponent Chowan University at 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
Stay up to date with William Peace Athletics via social media: Like us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
