Men’s Soccer Picks Up Fourth Win in a Row, Defeating Syracuse, 1-0, In ACC Tourney

Wednesday, November 3

Chapel Hill

6 PM

North Carolina

11-5-1, 4-4-0

Syracuse (First Round)

8-8-2, 2-5-1

Syracuse

North Carolina

Celebration

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Men’s Soccer Picks Up Fourth Win in a Row, Defeating Syracuse, 1-0, In ACC Tourney

November 3, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score FINAL RESULTS (.PDF)Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina and Syracuse battled defensively through 105 minutes before either team was able to find the back of the net. After a critical foul in the box by a Syracuse player, Milo Garvanian scored on a penalty kick to lead UNC over Syracuse, 1-0.

North Carolina's win over Syracuse improves their record to 11-5-1 (4-4 ACC), while Syracuse falls to 8-8-2 (2-5-1 ACC). North Carolina recorded their first win in the first round of the ACC Championships since defeating Virginia Tech in 2018.

Carolina was ranked No. 18 by United Soccer Coaches, No. 23 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll, and No. 24 by the College Soccer News poll this week after posting wins over No. 15 Loyola Marymount, No. 13 Virginia Tech, and No. 11 Notre Dame.

UNC and Syracuse both began the game with strong defenses. North Carolina was able to take 4 shots in the first half compared to the two they allowed by Syracuse. Syracuse took a more offensive approach in the second half, tallying 6 shots and allowing only one by UNC.

Despite the lack of scoring through 90 minutes of regulation, it was a very physical game. Syracuse was called for 25 fouls through the 106 minutes of play, and UNC was called for 9.

Riley Thomas was given a second yellow card with 9 minutes remaining in the first overtime period. The second yellow card equates to a red card by NCAA men's soccer rules, resulting in his removal from the game. Until the end of the game, UNC would play with 10 men.

Then, with 7:58 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, Syracuse's Hilli Goldar was issued his second yellow card, as well. The team's competed 10-on-10 for the remainder of the game.

In the 106^th minute a yellow card was issued to a Syracuse player for a foul inside the box. The resulting penalty kick opportunity, taken by Milo Garvanian, was successful.

The first round game of the ACC Tournament resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Tar Heels in double overtime.

Next up, the Tar Heels will travel to Clemson for the Quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. The game is set to take place at 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 7^th.

Notes:
• Tega Ikoba leads the team with six goals on the season. Cameron Fisher is close behind with five.
• Milo Garvanian scored his fourth goal of the season to end the game with a win in OT.
• UNC improves its record against Syracuse to 4-1-4.
• 10 of eleven of UNC's victories this season have been shutouts, putting them #4 in the nation for shutout percentage
• UNC is 11-5-1 this season and has out-shot its opponents by a margin of 265-91 through seventeen games.
• Tar Heels in the National Polls: Carolina is ranked No. 18 by United Soccer Coaches poll, No. 23 by the Top Drawer Soccer poll, and No. 24 by College Soccer News this week.