Wright Completes Tar Heel Comeback In Durham

Friday, October 14

Durham, North Carolina

7:00 PM

North Carolina

10-2-1, 4-1-1

Duke

4-6-2. 1-4-1

North Carolina

Duke

October 15, 2016 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Box Score (pdf)

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – 50 minutes of little action suddenly burst into a fury of activity on Friday night in Durham. No. 8 North Carolina came from behind against Duke after allowing a goal in the 64^th minute, led by a header from Nils Bruening in the 70^th minute and a goal of the season candidate by Zach Wright in the 82^nd.

Both teams spent the first half probing each other's defenses, resulting in only four combined shots, none requiring action for either keeper. Duke had the best chance, in the 36^th minute but Nico Melo played tough defense on an incoming cross and Alex Comsia cleared the ball to ensure the game stayed scoreless.

In the second half, Duke had the most chances in in the first twenty minutes, the first of which came in the 51^st minute as a cross was deflected by defender Colton Storm back onto the Tar Heels' goal, requiring James Pyle to make a scrambling save with an attacker nearby. Duke also missed an opportunity when a Cameron Moseley cross found Brian White unmarked with an open goal, but his feet got tangled up and he was not able to convert. Duke later struck on a corner kick, as Moseley broke away from his defender and headed the ball in the back post, leaving the Tar Heels shellshocked.

After that moment, Carolina took control of the game. First, Jelani Pieters went one-on-one with his defender and cut to the middle for an opening, but the shot was tame. Just a minute and a half later, a great Tar Heel combination play resulted in a goal. Walker Hume received the ball at the right corner of the 18-yard box, played the ball through two defenders to a streaking Jeremy Kelly, who played a cross to the far post that found the head of Bruening who put the ball in the back of the net for his team-leading seventh of the year.

After a couple of Tar Heel chances, Wright gave the lead to the Tar Heels for good in the 82^nd minute. Wright picked up the ball at midfield and began a diagonal run to the top of the box. After cutting to put the ball on his right foot, he found himself between four Duke defenders and fired a shot. The ball rose over goalkeeper Robert Moewes, before diving down to hit just off the bottom of the crossbar and find the back of the net, sending the Tar Heels into a raucous celebration.

Carolina's two first half shots tied a first half season low. This win marks the eighth time in the last nine seasons the Tar Heels have had at least ten wins in a season. The Tar Heels retained their first place status in the ACC Coastal, but now hold the position solo following a Notre Dame loss against Virginia earlier tonight.

Carolina's next match will be next Tuesday in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina against College of Charleston. The home finale is next Saturday when the Tar heels take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech.