University of North Carolina Athletics
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NC State
Hunter Boots No. 4 Tar Heels Past No. 12 NC State
November 9, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 9, 2005
CARY, N.C. - No. 4 North Carolina rode its fifth consecutive shutout and the left foot of junior forward Ben Hunter to a 1-0 victory over No. 12 NC State Wednesday in Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinal action at SAS Soccer Park. The Tar Heels (14-3-2) move on to a semifinal meeting at 8 p.m. Friday with the winner of tonight's Virginia-Clemson meeting.
With the win, Carolina improves to 9-0-3 in its last 12 meetings with the Wolfpack (11-6-1). NC State was seeded No. 3, while the Tar Heels were seeded sixth.
Hunter, who has scored three of his seven goals against NC State, connected on a 25-yard free kick at 60:44 to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead. All-ACC midfielder Dax McCarty was fouled about seven yards outside the 18-yard box, and Hunter then left-footed the free kick into the left side of the net. Hunter now has three goals off set pieces against the Pack at SAS, as he scored both Carolina goals - one on a free kick and one on a penalty kick - in the 2-2 overtime tie Sept. 14.
Hunter's goal would be more than enough offense for the Tar Heels, who have blanked five straight opponents for the first time since the national championship run of 2001. NC State managed just six shots and put only two on frame. The Pack's best chance came when midfielder John Queeley sent a free kick off the cross bar in the 65th minute.
Carolina keeper Justin Hughes went the distance in goal and made two saves to post his fifth shutout of the season. The Tar Heels, who have not surrendered a goal since a 3-2 win over William & Mary Oct. 18, are 6-0-1 with Hughes in goal this season.
NC State goalkeeper Jorge Gonzalez went 90 minutes in goal for NC State and allowed one goal and made one save. The Tar Heels posted a 9-6 edge in shots and took six corners.
Carolina held a 5-2 lead in shots in the first half. Defender Michael Harrington missed on the Tar Heels' best chance in the period when he fired a 20-yard shot off the crossbar in the 20th minute.
The Tar Heels will play either Clemson or Maryland Friday. Carolina posted a 1-0 win over Clemson Sept. 23 and lost 2-0 at Virginia Oct. 1
