University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Old Dominion
ODU Sinks 14th-Seeded Tar Heels On Penalty Kick
November 15, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 15, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Old Dominion's Trevor Banks converted a second-half penalty kick, and the Monarchs withstood a late offensive flurry from 14th-seeded North Carolina to escape with a 1-0 victory Wednesday in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship at Fetzer Field. ODU (14-5-2) advances to face the winner between No. 3 seed SMU and UC-Santa Barbara, while Carolina's season ends with an 11-6-3 record.
As was the case throughout the season, the Tar Heels controlled the pace of play for much of the night but could not convert on the offensive end of the field. Carolina outshot the Monarchs, 13-3, and posted a 7-1 edge on corner kicks, but was shutout for the fifth time in its last six outings.
"It wasn't much different of a game than what we have played all season long," said Carolina head coach Elmar Bolowich. "We pretty much controlled the game, had more of the play, had perhaps better opportunities to go ahead and we did not convert. That puts an enormous amount of pressure on the defense. Old Dominion started believing at that point, and all they needed was that one break."
Banks' 70th-minute penalty kick was just the second shot of the match for ODU, which capitalized on its best scoring chance. The PK was set up when ODU's Jared Kent collided with Carolina keeper Justin Hughes, as both raced for a loose ball in the box. Hughes came about 12 yards out to the right side of the net and as he went low to scoop up the ball, he brought down Kent, and the referee awarded the kick to the Monarchs.
On the PK, Banks sent the ball to the lower right corner of the net as Hughes guessed to the opposite side of the goal for what proved to be the game-winner.
"We knew we were not going to have a lot of the possession," said ODU head coach Alan Dawson. "We knew our chances would be limited. The game plan was to come in and play team defense, do what we had to do that way and when the opportunity arose hopefully we'd score that goal. It all unfolded the way we wanted it to, and I'm very proud of my team."
Now down a goal, the Tar Heels pressed offensively and got off five shots over the final 20 minutes but could not manage to find the back of the net. Senior forward Ben Hunter had a pair of strong chances, including a strike from 15 yards out that was stopped by ODU keeper Evan Newton in the 87th minute.
In the first half, Carolina held possession for much of the period but could not convert on any of its five shots, including three from point-blank range. Freshman Bill Dworsky misfired in the 10th and 18th minutes off of through balls from Hunter, and senior Corey Ashe sent an open shot just outside the left-hand post in the 42nd minute.
Newton earned his eighth shutout of the season with four saves in goal, while Hughes made one stop for the Tar Heels.
Wednesday's loss marked the final home game for seven UNC seniors, who combined for 50 victories and four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.
