No. 3 UNC Secures 4th Straight Shutout, Downs No. 12 UNCW 1-0

Tuesday, October 2

Cary, NC (WakeMed)

7 p.m.

North Carolina

8-1-0

UNCW

7-2-1

UNCW

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 2, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Play By Play Season Stats

By: Jeff Friday

Cary, N.C. – Jack Skahan's goal in the 33rd minute proved to be the match's only goal as third-ranked North Carolina held on to defeat No. 12 UNCW by a margin of 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park on Tuesday night. The Carolina defense recorded its fourth straight shutout and has not allowed a goal in 473 minutes, a span that dates back to September 8 against Pittsburgh.

The Tar Heels and Seahawks played out what seemed to be a quiet first 45 that featured some spurts of excitement. Statistically, the first half was nearly level with both teams registering four shots with one on goal.

In the 24^th minute, UNCW has their best chance of the first half. A free kick from about 25-yards out gave the Seahawks their only shot on goal. Danny Reynolds put the 25-yard free kick on frame to the back post but Carolina goalkeeper James Pyle was there to make the save.

Skahan came on in the 29^th minute and lit a fire under the Tar Heels. In his second match back after injury, Skahan received a cross from Jelani Pieters on the right side of the box, settled it, beat a defender and hit a shot into the bottom corner of the net to give Carolina the opener in the 33rd minute. Carolina held the lead going into the break of play.

UNCW registered its first shot of the second half in the 62^nd minute. A cross from the right side of the box finds the head of Emil Elveroth who steered it on frame. Pyle came off his line to comfortably make the save. Pyle finished the match with two saves.

Two minutes later, Carolina had its biggest opportunity of the second half in the 64^th minute. A corner from the left side led to a flurry of shots for the Tar Heels. Drew Murphy's corner found the head of Pieters on the near post but his header was blocked by a Seahawk defender. The ball bounced off the defender and found the feet of Nils Bruening but his shot was blocked as well. Carolina finished the match with eight shots compared to Wilmington's six.

Milo Garvanian saved the game for the Heels in the 80^th minute as a header from a UNCW corner was destined to equalize, but Garvanian stepped in and headed the ball off the line. This team save, along with the defensive efforts of Alex Comsia, John Nelson and Mark Salas stood strong to extend the Tar Heels streak of 473 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal.

Carolina returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 6, as they host No. 19 Virginia Tech at Koskinen Stadium on the campus of Duke University. The match will start at 7 p.m. and admission is free.