Opening Match Highlights
The Spartans entered the 2026 campaign with a clear intent to control possession, and they did just that against the Rams, finishing with a 11‑7 shot advantage and six of those attempts on target.
Matos opened the scoring in the 24th minute, receiving a through ball from Linberg and curling a long‑range effort that found the net for his first collegiate goal.
Just three minutes later Schmidt added his own debut goal after a corner from Matos, extending the lead to two and showcasing early chemistry between the two newcomers.
VCU responded early in the second half when Jonas Hassel Pettersen struck in the 51st minute, pulling one back and raising hopes of a comeback.
The Spartans answered back in the 77th minute as Pablo Torre chipped over the keeper after a run by Linberg, and Keaviano Francis capped the scoring in the 81st minute to seal a 4‑1 result.
Looking Ahead
With the win, UNCG prepares to face the San Francisco Dons on August 23, a match that will be streamed on ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m., offering the team a chance to build on the early momentum.