University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC State
Lewis, No. 11 Tar Heels Rally Past NC State
September 12, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 12, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior midfielder Garry Lewis' 93rd-minute header lifted No. 11 North Carolina to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over NC State Friday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams at Fetzer Field. Freshman midfielder Chris Lebo also scored for the Tar Heels, who improved to 4-0-1 for their best start since 2005.
With the sixth-largest men's soccer crowd in school history (3,503) in attendance, Carolina moved to 11-3-1 in 15 meetings with the Wolfpack (0-3-1) since 1997.
The Tar Heels came out aggressive in their third overtime of the young season, as Lebo opened things in extra time with a shot in the 92nd minute that NC State keeper Christopher Widman saved but could not collect. Carolina midfielder Michael Callahan guided the ensuing corner kick from the right to Lewis in the box, who sent his six-yard header over Widman and into the net for the game-winner at 92:20.
The score was Lewis' first of the season and fifth as a Tar Heel. It marked his first game-winner since a 2006 victory over Central Florida. Callahan's assist was his second of the night and the 10th of his career. The Cary native also helped set up Lebo's game-tying score earlier in the match.
Less than a minute after entering the game for the first time and with State holding a 1-0 lead, Lebo tied things up for the Tar Heels with a 15-yard strike in the 66th minute.
Midfielder Cameron Brown started the scoring play when he sent a cross from deep in the right corner into the middle of the box to Callahan, who one-timed the ball to Lebo on the left. The Telford, Pa., freshman then fired from 15 yards out and sent the equalizer into the lower left corner of the net at the 65:21 mark for his first collegiate goal. Brown's assist was his team-best third of the season.
The Tar Heels controlled play for nearly all of the first half, but the Wolfpack took advantage of its lone scoring chance to grab a 1-0 lead at intermission. After a 15-yard shot from the left side by Alan Sanchez was blocked by a UNC defender, State's Watt Williams deposited a rebound shot into the left side of the net for the first goal of the night at 36:32.
After the break, State came out with three shots over the first 10 minutes after collecting just two shots in the first half. Carolina nearly tied the match on its first shot of the second period in the 60th minute when Brian Shriver's 20-yard free kick after a Chrystel Bakong yellow card was saved by Widman.
Lebo followed six minutes later with the tying goal to set up Lewis' overtime heroics.
Senior Jacob Wescoe went the distance in goal for the Tar Heels and made four saves, while Widman picked up seven stops for State. Carolina doubled up the Wolfpack on the shot chart, 16-8.
The Tar Heels are back in action Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Liberty at 7 p.m. and return to ACC play next Friday at Boston College.
