University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Syracuse
Olofson Blasts Game Winner Against Orange
October 11, 2015 | Men's Soccer
The Tar Heels (10-0-1, 5-0-0 ACC) battled back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime, the first time Carolina has trailed at the half this season.
Oyvind Alseth put Syracuse (8-3-1, 2-2-1 ACC) in control early with a few close calls, the closest coming from a header ultimately saved by defender Jordan McCrary. However, a cross from Alseth with an assist from Liam Callahan found Miles Robinson in the box to put the Orange up 1-0 in the 22nd minute.
It marked the first time Carolina trailed in any match since Sept. 18 against Notre Dame.
Syracuse nearly took a 2-0 lead into the half with a clear shot from the Orange's lead scorer Ben Polk in the 40th minute, but goalie James Polk got a mitt on it to keep the deficit at one going into intermission.
Carolina found the equalizer in the 74th minute. Alan Winn collected a pass just outside the box and found Tucker Hume near the goal to tie up the match at 1-1. It was Hume's sixth goal of the season in his first career start with the Tar Heels.
After the goal, the urgency picked up on both sides. Carolina had a great look at the go-ahead, but a scramble in the box left Alex Olofson lying on the ground after a collision with Orange defender Jake Keller. The incident fired up Olofson, who took advantage of a poor Syracuse clear in the 83rd minute to blast the game winner and put the Tar Heels up 2-1 with his second goal of the season.
James Pyle recorded a career-high seven saves in the Carolina victory, who remain unbeaten in ACC play and extend its unbeaten streak to 15 games going back to last season.
The Tar Heels return to action Tuesday at Fetzer Field against College of Charleston at 7pm.
