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UNC Asheville
Lovejoy Leads Tar Heels Past UNC Asheville, 2-1
October 4, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Rob Lovejoy sent a shot off the left post and into the side netting four minutes into overtime Tuesday night to propel No. 3 North Carolina (9-1-1) past in-state foe UNC Asheville (2-6-2), 2-1. The Tar Heels out shot the Bulldogs 35-5 in the overtime victory as they extended their unbeaten streak to seven straight.
The Tar Heels spotted the Bulldogs a goal 11 minutes into the second half when UNC Asheville's Bryan Bartels let a shot go from more than 35 yards out in the 57th minute.
artels sent a dipping shot to the left of goalkeeper Scott Goodwin who attempted to tip the ball away but was unable to reach the shot as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead on just their fourth shot of the night.
Asheville packed in the defense throughout the night forcing the Tar Heels to bring the action to them and Carolina did just that rattling off a season-high 35 shots on the night, including 17 on frame.
The Tar Heels finally broke through on the scoresheet in the 75th minute when leading scorer Billy Schuler added to his total, picking up his eighth of the year.
Kirk Urso sent in a corner from the left corner flag that UNC Asheville goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen attempted to punch out of the box.
Hurskainen's punch was collected by Schuler at the top of the box who quickly fired the ball on goal and beat the Bulldogs top left to even the score at 1-1.
The Tar Heels had several other opportunities throughout the contest but Hurskainen was equal to the task making numerous saves to keep the UNC offense in check.
Following another Kirk Urso corner the Tar Heels quickly gained possession and sent another cross into the box looking for the game winner.
Josh Rice found the ball at his feet but Hurskainen was there to make the save. Hurskainen was unable to corral the rebound giving the Tar Heels an opportunity to jump on it.
Sophomore Rob Lovejoy jumped on the rebound and hammered a shot on frame that deflected off the left post and made an immediate right turn making its way into the side netting on the right side of the goal.
The tally was Lovejoy's fifth of the season as he helped the Tar Heels move to 9-1-1 on the season and extend Carolina's in-state unbeaten streak to 16.
Carolina will look to extend its current unbeaten streak to eight on Friday when it hosts conference rival Clemson at 7:30 p.m. at Fetzer Field.
