University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Clemson
No. 3 Tar Heels Move Unbeaten Streak To Eight With 2-0 Win
October 7, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 7, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 3 North Carolina used a pair of first half goals to move its unbeaten streak to eight consecutive matches as the Tar Heels claimed a 2-0 win over visiting Clemson Friday night at Fetzer Field. The Tar Heels improved to 10-1-1 on the year and 3-1-1 in conference play, while Clemson fell to 3-6-0 overall and 1-4-0 in the ACC.
Junior forward Ben Speas put the Tar Heels in front in the 12th minute when he converted a cross from Rob Lovejoy.
Speas received a pass on the left side of the box and dribbled to within five yards of the goal before slotting the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the year.
Junior forward Billy Schuler upped his season goal total to nine in the 25th minute when he fired from 15 yards out on a breakaway after receiving a pass from Speas.
The tally helped Schuler equal a single season high after finding the back of the net nine times as a sophomore. The assist was Speas' fifth of the year.
The Tar Heel defense shined bright in the contest as Carolina held Clemson to just three shots, which none of reached goalkeeper Scott Goodwin. The three shots allowed were the fewest this season by the Tar Heels and equaled the lowest mark since Seton Hall attempted three shots at the beginning of the 2010 season.
Carolina nearly came up with a third goal in the 59th minute when UNC earned a free kick in the attacking third. Speas took the free kick and sent it toward the goal where Matt Hedges ran onto it and got a toe on the ball. Clemson goalkeeper Cody Mizell was able to get a glove on the ball and misdirect the ball enough to knock the ball off the post and across the touch line.
The Tar Heels had another impressive opportunity later in the second half when Rob Lovejoy hit a low dipping ball that ricocheted off the crossbar. Speas collected the rebound on the right side of the box and sent a curling ball towards the far post that narrowly missed the cross bar.
Carolina out shot the Tigers 14-3 in the win as the Tar Heels extended its home unbeaten streak to 19 straight.
Next up for the Tar Heels is a visit from College of Charleston on Oct. 14.
