#3 Radford Defeats #6 UNC Asheville, 3-0, to Reach Semifinals
By Radford Athletics
RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's soccer program earned a dominant 3-0 victory over (6) UNC Asheville in the Big South Quarterfinals Saturday night in front of an electric home crowd.
KEY STATS
Radford's first goal came off an own goal, the first such occurrence from an opponent since hosting Hampton during the 2023 campaign.
Lilly Short continues her incredible season scoring her ninth goal tonight.
Caitlyn Nottingham's goal was her first of the season.
The Highlanders dominated possession outshooting the Bulldogs 18-6 and earning 7 corners to the visitor's one.
The victory is Radford's third straight and the defense's third straight shutout.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hosting their first postseason match since 2021, the Highlanders brought a new intensity to the field with a strong fan presence in the Cupp Stadium bleachers. Radford's intensity led to a big mistake early by UNC Asheville as an own goal put Radford ahead 1-0.
Radford's offense would kick into a new gear after that as the shots began to fall on goal. In the 25th minute, Radford would earn some breathing room. Jillian Silverstone sent in a perfect corner kick to the box which found Radford's top scorer Short who headed it in for the 2-0 lead.
The offensive intensity kept UNC Asheville attacking opportunities to a minimum as Radford held a stout 2-0 advantage at the half. The offense wouldn't wait long to add to its lead in the second half.
Olson placed another perfect corner kick into the box with Nottingham being on the receiving end this time. Nottingham didn't miss, heading in the shot for a goal that made it a 3-0 lead 65 minutes in. UNC Asheville wouldn't find a response the rest of the way with only two shots falling on goal as the Highlanders held on for the 3-0 semifinals win.
NOTABLES
Paige Olson earned her tenth assist, a new single season high and tied for fourth-most in a single season by any Highlander.
The win was head coach Ben Sohrabi's 30th in Big South postseason play.
Radford now holds a 6-1-1 record as the third seed in the Big South tournament.
Action moves to a neutral site next for the Big South semifinals and championship. Radford is 8-0 all-time at the Matthews Sportsplex.
HEAD COACH BEN SOHRABI
"UNC Asheville has had a tough year; we really feel for their team and community with everything they've been through. They showed a lot of resilience in what happened in the middle of their season. To make the tournament field they have nothing to be ashamed of. Tonight, we had a slow start and had some fortune, but a lot of Big South tournament matches are decided by set pieces which we had two of tonight. I was proud of the defense getting another shutout and we look forward to getting back to Matthews."
UP NEXT
The Highlanders next test will come in the Big South semifinals hosted at a neutral site in Matthews, N.C. (3) Radford will take on (2) High Point for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.