It was all about revenge tonight for Lipscomb as they shutout UNC Aseville 2-0 in the opening round of the Hyatt Place Select Tournament.Last year, UNC Asheville took home the trophy after beating the Bisons 2-1.
“Last year it was a game where we started to see cracks in the armor, then it was a downhill slide from there,” Lipscomb coach Charles Morrow said. “So, to have a tight game and have to battle through and keep the shutout and get a couple of goals in the process was very good.”
The game was scoreless until the 70-minute mark when senior Garrett McLaughlin scored from 20 yards out to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.
Ethan Summers crosses the ball into the box.
“I just saw an opening and took the shot,” McLaughlin said. “I guess it moved a little bit, so the goalie had a hard time.”
The win tonight gave the team its third consecutive win, after winning the Belmont Invitational last weekend. With the consistent play, it looks as if the team is improving in each game.
“There were a few times in the first half where we were playing as good as I had seen,” Morrow said. “Not only as good as I have seen this year, but throughout my four or five year tenure here. “
Lipscomb moved the ball very well in the first half, generating a lot of chances, but came up short until McLaughlin’s goal in the second.
“The challenge is doing that for a complete game,” Morrow said. “Asheville is a very tough team that can present some challenges that sort of gets us out of our style and system. So, for us to fight through that and maintain was good and I was definitely proud of the way the guys played.”
Most of the chances generated by Lipscomb were generated by through balls to outside, generating scoring chances from the edges.
“The way they play, the space is out wide,” Morrow said. “They play a 4-3-3 with their three central mid-fielders compact in the center. Their soft spot is out wide, and we did a good job of exploiting that tonight.”
The shots were 15-5 for the Bisons. The other goal was scored when McLaughlin struck a penalty kick to the left side-net at the 72-minute mark.
Andrew Chamberlain attempts to get past a defender.
The Bisons host the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sunday at 4 p.m. for the second round of play.
“I think our styles will be more similar, and for that reason I think that it will be a very entertaining game to watch,” Morrow said. “The guys know that business isn’t done this weekend, and they know there is more to come.”