University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Take Rain-Shortened Exhibition, 2-1
August 21, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 21, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - North Carolina improved to 2-0 in the exhibition season Sunday night when the Tar Heels notched a 2-1 rain-shortened victory at Charlotte. Ben Speas and Billy Schuler tallied for the Tar Heels who open the 2011 regular season on Saturday against in-state foe UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field.
Charlotte jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when T.J. Beaulieu took a pass from Tyler Gibson after a breakdown at the back for the Tar Heels. Gibson was able to wrestle the ball away from Matt Hedges and found a cutting Beaulieu who was able to beat Scott Goodwin to provide the initial tally.
The goal seemed to spark the Tar Heels who had maintained possession throughout the opening minutes but were unable to register a shot.
Billy Schuler mounted a charge in the 21st minute as he darted through the defense but as soon as he hit the top of the box he was dispossessed. A Charlotte defender was unable to clear the ball as Ben Speas gathered the loose ball and calmly deposited it into the back of the net for the equalizer.
Carolina continued to maintain a big advantage in possession throughout the rest of the opening half and the possession resulted in another goal five minutes before intermission.
Substitute Mikey Lopez came on with 15 minutes remaining in the half and immediately made an impact. Lopez darted through the midfield with the ball and found Speas just inside the top of the box. Speas dropped it off perfectly for a cutting Billy Schuler who tallied for the second consecutive contest putting Carolina in front, 2-1 just before the break.
Carolina maintained the momentum in the second half making attacking runs at the 49ers' defense. The Tar Heels registered a pair of shots in the 25 minutes of action before a lightning delay was issued at 8:30 p.m.
After a delay of 45 minutes the game was called due to rain and lightning in the area.
Schuler's goal was the second of the preseason for the All-America and Speas tallied for the first time as a Tar Heel.
Carolina will have a week to gear up for its home opener scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field against UNC Wilmington.
UNC Starters: Scott Goodwin - GK, Jordan McCrary - D, Daniel Tannous - D, Matt Hedges - D, Glen Long - D, Jordan Gafa - M, Kirk Urso - M, Enzo Martinez - M, Ben Speas - F, Billy Schuler - F, Rob Lovejoy - F
Substitutes: Anton Sealey, Boyd Okwuonu, Mikey Lopez, Josh Rice, Martin Murphy, David Walden, Carlos McCrary, Drew McKinney
Scoring Summary: Charlotte - T.J. Beaulieu (Tyler Gibson) - 13:44
North Carolina - Ben Speas (unassisted) - 20:28
North Carolina - Billy Schuler (Mikey Lopez, Ben Speas) - 40:20
