University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke University
No. 4 UNC Clinches Spot In ACC Tournament Final, Downs No. 8 Duke 2-1
November 7, 2018 | Men's Soccer
CARY, N.C. — Jelani Pieters' game-winner in the 87th minute proved to be difference between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils on Wednesday night in the ACC Championship semifinals in Cary at WakeMed Soccer Park. His second goal of the year came just 29 seconds after Duke scored an equalizer, a dramatic finish to send Carolina to its first conference title game since 2012. The Heels will take on Louisville in the ACC Tournament title game on Sunday, Nov. 11, at WakeMed Soccer Park at 12 p.m.
In the 29th minute after a relatively slow start, the Heels were able to get on the board. After a shot from Mauricio Pineda that set up a corner, Giovanni Montesdeoca was able to score his seventh goal of the season just one minute after coming on as a substitute. Jack Skahan put a ball in the box that was deflected and took an opportune bounce, perfect for Montesdeoca to punch it into the back of the net. Just the second shot of the game, it was good to give the Heels a 1-0 lead.
The rest of the first half saw a lot of back-and-forth action that didn't lead to many opportunities. The first half saw just four shots, all from Carolina. Pineda registered a shot through traffic with two minutes to play before half, but Duke's Will Pulisic was able to secure his second save of the night to send the game to half with a 1-0 Tar Heel lead.
Carolina and Duke traded possession and shots early in the second half, but neither team could put a ball in the back of the net. UNC had an opportunity in the 61st minute of play when Montesdeoca and Skahan both put shots on goal, but Duke was able to clear both threats. Montesdeoca fed Skahan another ball just two minutes later, but the Blue Devil defense was able to clear it to keep the Heels lead at one.
Duke continued to threaten throughout the second half, but the Carolina defense held steady and was able to consistently keep the ball away from Pyle. The Blue Devils' first major opportunity came in the 79th minute on a one-on-one opportunity from Issa Rayyan, he had a clear shot at the goal against James Pyle, but the Tar Heel keeper made a sprawling save, his third of the night to keep the lead.
Pyle's brilliant save shut down Duke's best threat up until that point in the night, but Duke was able to capitalize just a few minutes later. In the 87th minute, a funky bounce in front of the net helped Duke collect its equalizer. Rayyan gathered the ball in front of the net and beat Pyle, winning the two's second battle of the night and knotting the game at one.
Rayyan's goal gave Duke plenty of momentum, but Pieters had a remarkable answer just 29 seconds later. After collecting the ball at midfield, Pieters dribbled down the left side, beat a couple of defenders and set up a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper. He put a shot on goal that was deflected and found its way over Pulisic's head and into the back of the net. Just like that, Carolina took a 2-1 lead with 3:14 left on the clock.
Duke threatened with multiple opportunities as the clock wound down, but Pyle and the Tar Heel defense stood tough when it mattered and kept Duke off the board for the remainder of the game.
With the win, the Heels will advance to the ACC Championship against Louisville on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
