UNC defeats SMU 2-0, punch ticket to the Elite 8

Saturday, November 25

Cary, N.C. (WakeMed Soccer Park)

6:00 p.m.

North Carolina

16-3-1

SMU

17-3-1

SMU

North Carolina

November 25, 2017 | Men's Soccer

Box Score UNC vs SMU Box Score

By: T.J. Scholl

Chapel Hill, N.C. – The North Carolina Tar Heels took down SMU 2-0 Saturday night in Cary, N.C., with two second half goals to reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. Goals from Jack Skahan in the 49th minute and Jelani Pieters in the 82nd minute pushed the Tar Heels past the Mustangs to reach the quarterfinals for the eighth time in the last 10 years, more than any other program during that time.

The Tar Heels took control of the game early in the first half with shots from both Cam Lindley and Skahan within the first 13 minutes, but SMU goalkeeper Michael Nelson saved both attempts to keep the score even. With most of the possession in the first half the Tar Heels went in to halftime with a 5-0 advantage on shots and a 4-0 advantage on corner kicks, but couldn't find the back of the net as both teams went in tied, 0-0.

The Tar Heels came flying out of the break when Skahan whipped in a cross to forward Alan Winn that found its way in to the back of the net to give UNC the lead, 1-0. Skahan curled in the cross from the left side of the field to Winn who was waiting in the box, Winn went for the diving header and as the keeper from SMU waited for the deflection Winn let it ball go and it bounced its way in to the far back post.

After conceding the goal SMU came out of its defensive shape and earned a dangerous free kick in the 66th minute, but it was just wide of the post, as the Mustangs registered its first shot of the match.

In the 82nd minute, 46 seconds after subbing back in to the match, Pieters took a beautiful back heel from Lindley and raced past the SMU defense before tucking his shot in to the far right corner of the net to double the Tar Heels lead, 2-0. Lindley's pass created tons of space for Pieters and he did the rest after beating several defenders and scoring from just inside the 18 yard box. With Lindley's assist he now has more assists in one season (12) than any other player since Head Coach Carlos Somoano took the helm in 2011. The previous record holder was Enzo Martinez who had 11 in 2011 during the Tar Heels run to the National Championship.

In the 83rd minute SMU looked like they had cut the deficit in half as they tapped one in past goalkeeper James Pyle, but after the goal the officials talked on the far sideline and a late offside call was shown to keep the Tar Heel lead at 2-0.

SMU had one last shot on goal in the 89th minute but a brilliant save from Pyle kept the clean sheet as the Tar Heels advanced to the quarterfinals.

The Tar Heels will play Fordham in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship in Cary, N.C. at WakeMed Soccer Park. The date and time of the game is still to be determined.