University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Elon
Schuler's Double Paces UNC Past Elon, 2-1
November 3, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 3, 2009
ELON, N.C. --- A pair of unassisted goals from sophomore Billy Schuler helped the No. 2 North Carolina men's soccer team past Elon, 2-1, Tuesday night at Rudd Field. Schuler's double, his team-leading sixth and seventh goals of the season, improved the Tar Heels to 12-2-2 on the season heading into Friday's regular season finale at Clemson. Elon, which got its lone goal from Chris Thomas, fell to 8-7-2 on the year.
Carolina forced Elon goalie Clint Irwin into three saves in the first 10 minutes of play before the Phoenix came close to going ahead in the 11th minute. Thomas headed a shot on target that rattled off the crossbar before teammate Justin Wyatt's shot was saved by UNC's Scott Goodwin. Goodwin, who started in goal for the third straight game, made a season-high three saves.
The Tar Heels held the upper hand throughout the rest of the half and finally broke through in the 42nd minute courtesy of Schuler. The Allentown, N.J., product beat his defender in the box and fired a strike into the back of the net from 12 yards out to make it 1-0.
Elon had the final chance of the half in the final minute of play when Goodwin saved a Brad Franks effort.
Carolina doubled its lead 15 minutes after the break when Schuler slid a low shot inside the far post past the drawn-out Irwin in the 60th minute. It was the first multi-goal outing of the season for Schuler, who now has 11 career goals as a Tar Heel.
The Phoenix pulled one back in the 75th minute through Thomas, with James Carroll and Erfan Imeni assisting. Thomas took a pass from Carroll on the right side and lofted a shot over Goodwin for the tally. The goal was the first allowed by the Carolina defense in more than 318 minutes of play dating to the Boston College game and just the 10th allowed by the Tar Heels all season.
Elon would get no closer, however, as UNC outshot the hosts 4-0 over the final quarter of an hour and held on for the victory.
The win gives Carolina an 8-0-1 record in non-conference play, marking the first time the Tar Heels have finished their non-league schedule unbeaten since 2005. The Tar Heels also remained unbeaten in the all-time series with Elon, improving to 12-0-1.
UNC goes into Friday's finale at Clemson with a chance to clinch at least a tie for the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title. The Tar Heels are currently tied for second in the league with Wake Forest at 13 points, while Maryland tops the table with 14 points. The Terrapins have completed their ACC schedule, while Wake Forest closes at home against Duke on Friday.
