University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Wake Forest
No. 5 Deacs Edge No. 3 Carolina, 1-0
October 13, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 13, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Wake Forest's Julian Valentin scored off a deflected free kick in the 19th minute, and No. 3 North Carolina was unable to convert on any of its eight shots on goal, as the No. 5 Demon Deacons posted a 1-0 win over the Tar Heels Friday in Atlantic Coast Conference action at Fetzer Field. Carolina (10-4-2, 2-3-1 ACC) bested Wake Forest 17-4 in shots and 5-0 on corner kicks but was shutout for the second straight outing.
The Tar Heels suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since the final two matches of the 2004 season and were shutout for a second consecutive match for the first time since the last two games of 2003. Carolina has not scored in its last 283 minutes of soccer, dating to Ben Hunter's goal in the seventh minute of the 1-1 tie with Maryland Oct. 6.
Carolina controlled the pace of play for much of the first half and posted a 6-3 edge on the shot chart, but the Demon Deacons carried a 1-0 lead into intermission on the strength of Valentin's score at 18:32. Valentin collected a loose ball off a deflected free kick and scored from eight yards for the only goal of the match.
In the second half, Wake Forest (12-2-1, 3-2-1 ACC) took just one shot, while the Tar Heels held possession for much of the period. Carolina took six shots in the half, including a blast from the top of the box by midfielder Scott Campbell in the 67th minute that was halted by Demon Deacon keeper Brian Edwards.
Reserve forward Eddie Ababio added a spark off the bench for UNC and nearly tied the game when he turned at shot from 20 yards out in the final minute.
Edwards made eight stops in goal for Wake Forest, while Carolina keeper Justin Hughes made just one save as the Deacs put only two shots on goal all night.
Carolina's seven seniors - Corey Ashe, Blake Beach, David Boole, Michael Harrington, Hughes, Hunter and Ted Odgers - were all honored before the game as a part of Senior Day festivities at Fetzer Field.
The Tar Heels are off for a week before taking on Duke in Durham next Friday, Oct. 20. Carolina closes out the regular season with a trip to Boston College Oct. 26.
