Men's Soccer Beats Syracuse, 1-0, To Reach NCAA Quarters

Sunday, November 27

Syracuse, New York

2:00 PM

North Carolina

13-3-3

Syracuse

12-4-4

North Carolina

Syracuse

November 27, 2016 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Album Final Stats

By: UNC Athletic Communications

SYRACUSE--Freshmen Jeremy Kelly and Cam Lindley combined on a goal in the 32nd minute to give ninth-seeded North Carolina a 1-0 victory over eighth-seeded Syracuse (12-4-4) in the third round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The victory gives the Tar Heels their seventh quarterfinal appearance in the last nine years and 11th appearance in program history.

“I'm very proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish today,” said head coach Carlos Somoano. “Especially against a great Syracuse team, I think they played an amazing game. I'm amazed at the job Coach (Ian) McIntyre does year in and year out with this program, which makes us feel all the more proud for being able to come up here and do what we did today.”

Tucker Hume and Alan Winn looked to strike first as they had back-to-back chances in the seventh minute of play, but both were repelled by Syracuse goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert. Carolina goalkeeper James Pyle matched his counterpart with a great save after Johannes Pieles got free and threatened the Tar Heels' goal in the 14th minute. Just nine minutes later, Winn got behind the defense on the end line but neither him nor Zach Wright were able to get the ball past Hilpert.

The Tar Heel goal began with Lindley finding Kelly streaking up the left flank. Kelly cut between Syracuse defenders, made his way to the top of the box and found a gap in the left corner of the goal to put Carolina ahead.

The Tar Heels best chance in the second half came from David October, as he found himself in a one-on-one situation with Hilpert, but he was not able to convert. Lindley and Mauricio Pineda both threatened from a distance, but Hilpert dealt with both.

Carolina's defense was stout down the stretch. Syracuse's best chance came in the 70th minute off a free-kick but the shot went wide of goal. After that moment, Syracuse was limited to shots from outside the box, none of which threatened Pyle.

Carolina (13-3-3) will play Providence (15-6), who upset top-seeded Maryland earlier in the tournament, on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field with a trip to Houston for the Final Four on the line. Carolina won their only matchup with Providence 2-0, in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.

This is the first home quarterfinal game for the Tar Heels since 2012.