University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Saint John's
No. 19 Tar Heels Top No. 5 St. John's, 2-1, In Overtime
August 29, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 29, 2003
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Freshman Jamie Watson headed in a cross from junior Marcus Storey in the game's 98th minute to give the No. 19 North Carolina men's soccer team a 2-1 overtime victory over fifth-ranked St. John's Friday in the Wake Forest adidas Classic at the Deacons' Spry Stadium. The Tar Heels, who have now won six consecutive season openers, return to action Saturday at 5 p.m. versus No. 10 Connecticut.
Watson, who returned this week from the Under-17 World Cup, headed Storey's cross to the far post just over the goal line in front of St. John's goalkeeper Bill Gaudette for the win at the 97:44 mark.
Storey got Carolina (1-0) on the board first with a goal at the 26:13 mark. Freshman Michael Harrington streaked down the right sideline past St. John's defender Georgios Spanos to set up the Tar Heel scoring chance. He then crossed the ball to Storey in the box, who sent it by Gaudette to give Carolina the 1-0 advantage.
St. John's (0-1) rebounded to tie the score at one at 36:43 on a goal from sophomore Sebastian Ralph, who tapped in a header from Chris Corcoran from six yards out on the far post. Matt Groenwald also earned an assist on the play after crossing the ball to Corcoran from the end line.
Carolina squandered a chance to take a lead in the second half when Ray Fumo missed a penalty kick wide right at the 70:10 mark. Watson was taken down in the box by Spanos to give the Tar Heels the penalty chance.
UNC goalkeeper Justin Hughes preserved the tie through regulation with a diving save of a shot by SJU's Ryan Kelly in the 88th minute. Under pressure from St. John's throughout much of the second half, Hughes tallied five saves in the period. In all, he made six saves and allowed one goal in 97:44.
The Red Storm outshot Carolina, 13-7. The Tar Heels now lead the all-time slate with the Red Storm, 2-0.
Scoring: 1. UNC - Marcus Storey (Michael Harrington), 26:13 2. SJU - Sebastian Ralph (Chris Corcoran, Matt Groenwald), 36:43 3. UNC - Jamie Watson (Storey), 97:44 Goals: Marcus Storey (UNC), Jamie Watson (UNC), Sebastian Ralph (SJU) Assists: Michael Harrington (UNC), Marcus Storey (UNC), Chris Corcoran (SJU), Matt Groenwald (SJU) Goalie Stats: Justin Hughes (UNC): 6 saves, 1 goal allowed, 98 minutes; ill Gaudette (SJU): 1 save, 2 goals allowed, 98 minutes Shots: UNC 7, SJU 13 Yellow Cards: Andrew Rhea (UNC), 48:46; Grant Porter (UNC), 73:38; Justin Sorsabal (UNC), 77:50; Simone Salinno (SJU), 81:45--TarHeelBlue.com--Score by Halves Team 1 2 OT Final No. 19 UNC 1 0 1 2 No. 5 SJU 1 0 0 1
