UNC takes down UNCW 2-1, advances to Sweet 16

Sunday, November 19

Cary, N.C. (WakeMed Soccer Park)

7:00 PM

North Carolina

15-3-1

UNCW

12-8-0

UNCW

North Carolina

November 19, 2017 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Final Box Score

By: T.J. Scholl

Chapel Hill, N.C. -- UNC defeated UNCW, 2-1, with two second half goals and advances to the Sweet 16 to take on SMU on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Goals from Jelani Pieters in the 53rd minute and Mauricio Pineda in the 56th minute fueled UNC past the Seahawks en route to the Tar Heels 9th Sweet 16 in the last 10 years.

Although the teams went in to the locker room at half time tied 0-0, both teams had quality looks at goal in the first half. In the 28th minute Alan Winn had a shot saved from six yards out for the Tar Heels before the Seahawks looked destined to score in the 34th minute until UNC keeper James Pyle came up with a huge one-on-one save against Matt Gianfortone.

UNCW came flying out of the break but Pieters ended up scoring the games first goal in the 53rd minute. Defender Mark Salas played a ball to forward Zach Wright on the right sideline who beat his defender and crossed the ball in to the box where Pieters was making a near post run and slotted the ball past the keeper. Pieters is now second on the team with eight goals on the season and Wright now has 10 assists, one behind Cam Lindley for best on the team.

Pineda doubled the Tar Heels lead with a rocket from 25 yards out that struck the right side of the net. The play started with forward Alan Winn who played the ball to Pineda who then took a couple touches towards goal and ripped one past the keeper to give the Heels the lead, 2-0.

The Seahawks scored in the 74th minute off a free kick from David Lozano that was finished by Julio Moncada, but it wasn't enough to upset the Tar Heels as they fell 2-1.

The Tar Heels led the Seahawks in shots 12-7 and corners 8-1.

UNC will now face SMU on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. This will be the 9th time in the last 10 years the Heels will be playing in the Sweet 16.