UNC down N.C. State 2-1

Jr middi Michael Farfan (Picture from: TarHeelBlue.com)

The Men’s Soccer team won their opening game in conference against the Wolfpack. Second ranked North Carolina (3-0-1, 1-0 in the ACC) took down #18 N.C. State (3-1, 0-1 in the ACC) by the final score of 2 to 1 in front of a friendly crowd of 4,200 at Fetzer Field. The Heels had to come back from a one nothing hole when the in-state rivals scored with just a minute gone in the game. However, thanks to a great play by freshman striker Enzo Martinez, who beat his man in the 18 yard box and was taken down, UNC tied up the game when the ref called a penalty that Zach Loyd put into the back of the net with about 12 minutes to go in the first half. This too was not as easy as a penalty should be, since the senior defender/middi had to do it twice due to the ref having called the ball dead before the Heel shot the ball. Loyd’s second attempt was just as good!

Carolina’s second goal was once again in part thanks to Martinez’ play, as he sent a great through ball down the sideline. Junior midfielder Michael Farfan got possession of the ball just outside the penalty area, and just how the first goal began, beat his man and once in the clear shot the ball that would hit the right post and sail into the net for Farfan’s third goal of the season. The Heels took the 2-1 lead with about 25 minutes to go and nothing truly happened until 90 seconds to go when the Wolfpack got a great shot on goal from about 45 feet away, but Carolina senior goalkeeper Brooks Haggerty made his second save of the night and the game was preserved. From the boxscore you can see that this game was a very chippy one, with 43 fouls (22 NC State, 21 UNC) and five cautions (three NC State, two UNC). Carolina out-shot the Pack, 9-5, and had four of the game’s five corners

Elmar Bolowich and North Carolina return to action on Friday, Sept. 18, when they play host to Duke at 7 p.m. EST at Fetzer Field.

Shortlink: