Men's Soccer Advances Past Charlotte On Penalty Kicks

Sunday, May 2

Cary, N.C.

5 PM

North Carolina

Charlotte (Second Round)

Goalie Alec Smir made two huge saves in PKs to secure the win.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

May 2, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Final Stats (.pdf)

CARY, N.C.—Akeim Clarke scored a goal and Alec Smir made pressure-packed saves in goal as North Carolina advanced in the NCAA Tournament with a win in penalty kicks over Charlotte in second-round action on Sunday evening from WakeMed Soccer Park Field No. 2.

Clarke's second-half goal gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in regulation, then Smir made two huge saves of Charlotte penalty kicks to send the Tar Heels (8-4-3) into a third-round matchup with Stanford. The Tar Heels and Cardinal will meet on Thursday for a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Clarke scored his first career goal with 16:19 remaining in the second half, taking a pass from Milo Garvanian and scoring for a 1-0 UNC lead. It was just the 10th goal allowed by Charlotte all season and the third allowed by 49er keeper Austin Mullins.

Charlotte tied the score in the 84th minute with 5:25 remaining in regulation. After a Tar Heel foul just outside the box, the 49ers were able to score off the ensuing free kick by Joe Brito. It was just the 9th goal allowed by Smir this season.

Both overtime periods were scoreless, with the Tar Heel defense barely averting a goal when Charlotte hit the post on a rebound shot attempt at one point.

In penalty kicks, UNC's Santiago Herrera connected first for the Tar Heels. After Charlotte tied it at 1-1 and Alex Rose scored to make it 2-1 Carolina, Smir dove to his right and saved Axel Sigurdarson's attempt. Garvanian then put Carolina ahead 3-1.

Smir made another huge save to preserve the 3-1 UNC edge, then Ernest Bawa scored on his attempt to clinch the 4-1 edge in penalty kicks and the Tar Heel victory.

Carolina's defense limited Charlotte to just six shots, only two of which was on goal. UNC out-shot the 49ers, 16-6, in the game.