Men's Soccer Blanks Stanford, 1-0

Thursday, May 6

Cary, N.C.

6 PM

North Carolina

9-4-3, 7-2-3

Stanford (Third Round)

10-3-1, 7-2-1

North Carolina

Stanford

Joe Pickering's first-half goal was the eventual game-winner.

Photo by: Andy Mead

May 6, 2021 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Final Stats (.pdf)Updated NCAA Bracket

CARY, N.C.—Midfielder Joe Pickering scored on a header in the first half and the North Carolina defense clamped down the rest of the way as the Tar Heels beat fourth-seeded Stanford, 1-0, on Thursday night in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at the WakeMed Soccer Center.

Unseeded UNC (8-4-4) advanced to its ninth NCAA quarterfinal since 2008, most of any school in the nation in that span. Stanford saw its season come to an end at 10-3-1.

Carolina took a quick, 1-0, lead in the 14th minute when Pickering scored his first goal of the season, heading a corner kick from Milo Garvanian to score at the 13:40 mark of the first half. Garvanian dished out an assist for the second NCAA Tournament game in a row after also doing so in the second-round match with Charlotte last weekend on May 2.

The Tar Heels slowed down the Cardinal attack throughout the game, limiting an offense that entered the matchup averaging more than two goals per game. UNC's defense limited Stanford to just one shot in the first half and four in the game.

Goalie Alec Smir posted his ACC-leading 10th shutout of the season and the 19th of his career.

Carolina advances to face No. 5 seed Wake Forest in the NCAA quarterfinals on Monday May 10 in Cary at 5 p.m. The Demon Deacons beat Kentucky on Thursday to advance.