Box Score
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ASHEVILLE, NC— Junior Achille Obougou scored two goals to lead a shorthanded Winthrop team to a 3-1 road victory over UNC Asheville in the team's Big South Conference opener, Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles (5-4, 1-0 Big South) scored two first half goals as Obougou's goal in the 25^th minute proved to be the game-winner as he also added an insurance goal in the 70^th minute. With the loss, Asheville falls to 1-9 overall and 0-3 in the league.

Winthrop had lost the last two meetings against Asheville and had failed to score but came out and put an end to that scoreless streak in the ninth minute as Alex Isern, who picked up a point for the fourth straight game and scored a goal for the second straight game. Isern followed a shot off the foot of Obougou as the keeper's save gave up a rebound in front and Isern came in to put the ball in the net for his third goal of the season.

“I was very pleased getting a result today with so many key players out,” said Winthrop head coach Rich Posipanko, who earned his 350^th victory as a collegiate coach with the win. “All the credit to Asheville as they're much better than their record indicates.”

In addition to starter Adam Brundle, who was sitting due to card accumulation, the Eagles were without starters Daniel Di Biagio and Patrick Barnes. Then the Eagles had to bring off two starters in the back between 20-25 minutes into the match as Kyle Kennedy came off and minutes later Nick Kowalksi had to leave the game. That made the Eagles even more shorthanded in the back as junior defender Josh Choice was injured during warm-ups.

In the 25^th minute, Mason Lavallet continued to create scoring chances as his pinpoint service found Obougou about eight yards out and he hammered it home for the 2-0 lead. That's where the first 45 minutes finish as the Eagles led at the half for just the second time all season.

Leading 2-1 in the second, UNC Asheville's Stabler Cochrane made it a one goal game when his long range shot slipped by Tom Banfield in the 60^th minute. The Eagles withstood the pressure as Asheville came right back at them, but Obougou headed home a cross from Isern to give Winthrop a little cushion.

Banfield finished with five saves to earn the victory in net for the Eagles. Asheville's Dan Jackson made six saves as Winthrop finished with a 16-14 edge in shots with Asheville holding a 12-5 advantage in corner kicks.

Winthrop now has 20 goals on the season, which surpasses the season total from the 2011 squad. It's the first time since Oct. 12, 2010 against VMI at home that Winthrop has scored three goals in a league contest.

The Eagles, who have now won three straight, are now 19-8-1 all-time in league openers.

Winthrop will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 6 as it will not have a match during the week. The Eagles will host Big South Conference foe High Point at 7 p.m.