Men’s Soccer Defeats #11 Notre Dame on Senior Day for Third Straight Victory, 3-1

Friday, October 29

Chapel Hill

4:30 pm

North Carolina

10-5-1, 4-4-0

Notre Dame

9-5-2, 4-2-2

Notre Dame

North Carolina

Men's Soccer Seniors

Photo by: Ira Wilder

Men’s Soccer Defeats #11 Notre Dame on Senior Day for Third Straight Victory, 3-1

October 29, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS (.PDF)Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL – A dominant first two minutes of the game gave North Carolina an early advantage, 2-0, which it was able to maintain and build upon throughout the following 88 minutes. Two goals scored within 28 seconds of each other, followed by a third before half-time, gave UNC the advantage for a 3-1 victory over Notre Dame.

North Carolina's win over No. 11 Notre Dame improves their record to 10-5-1 (4-4 ACC), while Notre Dame's record falls to 9-5-2 (4-2-2 ACC). North Carolina has recorded three top-15 wins in a row to close regular season play.

Carolina was ranked No. 22 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll this week after posting wins over No. 15 Loyola Marymount and No. 13 Virginia Tech.

Tega Ikoba struck first for the Tar Heels 1:12 into the game off of a ball from Milo Garvanian. The Tar Heels one goal advantage quickly doubled, as Ken Bellini recorded his first goal of the season assisted by Ikoba.

The Tar Heels continued their aggressive offensive approach through the first half, outshooting the Irish 7-1. With three minutes remaining in the first half, Alex Rose added to the Tar Heels lead off a cross from Victor Olofsson.

Notre Dame came out aggressively in the second half, but the Tar Heels were able to hold them to two shots and allowed only one goal. Tonight's 3-1 win over Notre Dame marks UNC's first win of the season in which they allowed a goal.

The Tar Heel defense was able to hold Notre Dame to only three shots on the night, forcing Alec Smir to only make one save on the night.

Despite Notre Dame's attempt to rally in the second half, North Carolina stayed the course and continued to put pressure on the Irish. Through 90 minutes, UNC outshot Notre Dame by an 11-3 margin. Their shot comparison improved to 259-82.

Next up, the Tar Heels will compete in the first round of the ACC Tournament at campus sites. The first round will take place on Wednesday, November 3^rd.

Notes:
• Tega Ikoba leads the team with six goals on the season. Cameron Fisher is close behind with five.
• Ken Bellini posted his first career goal against No. 11 Notre Dame
• UNC improves its record against Notre Dame to 6-3-2.
• Nine of ten of UNC's victories this season have been shutouts, putting them #4 in the nation for shutout percentage
• UNC is 10-5-1 this season and has out-shot its opponents by a margin of 259-82 through sixteen games.
• Tar Heels in the National Polls: Carolina is ranked No. 22 by the Top Drawer Soccer poll this week.