Men's Soccer Defeats Syracuse For Program's 800th Win, Advances To ACC Final

Wednesday, November 8

Syracuse, NY

6 p.m. ET

North Carolina

10-3-5, 2-3-3

Syracuse

8-4-7, 2-1-5

North Carolina

Syracuse

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Men's Soccer Defeats Syracuse For Program's 800th Win, Advances To ACC Final

November 8, 2023 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Fueled by Martin Vician's two-goal showing and eight saves from Andrew Cordes, the North Carolina men's soccer team defeated Syracuse, 3-1, in the semifinals of the 2023 ACC Tournament.

With the victory, the Tar Heels have won its 800^th contest in program history.

How It Happened
• Following a Syracuse turnover, Quenzi Huerman dished to Vician who struck the back of the net, giving Carolina the lead in the sixth minute.
• Just moments after subbing in, Daniel Kutsch received a pass from Ernest Bawa, finding the bottom left corner of the net to extend the Tar Heel lead.
• Cordes faced seven shots in the opening 45 minutes, halting four Syracuse shot attempts.
• To start the second half, Syracuse's Nicholas Kaloukian was able to send one home, with assists from Jeorgio Kocevski and Mateo Leveque.
• In the 58^th, Syracuse's Kocevski was issued a red card after fouling Vician, giving Carolina the man-advantage for the remainder of the matchup.
• Playing a man-up, Vician netted his second score of the night in the 70^th minute, with the assist credited to Ahmad Al-Qaq.

Inside The Numbers
• Carolina becomes the eighth program in men's Division I history to reach 800 victories, the second in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• The Tar Heels the all-time series with Syracuse, 5-3-4.
• Wednesday was the third-straight ACC Tournament the two programs have met.
• Kutsch's goal was the first of his collegiate career.
• Cordes' eight saves established a new career-high for the Denver, Colo. product.
Carolina has yet to concede more than one goal in a contest this season.

Up Next
The Tar Heels advance to its ninth ACC Final in program history, facing the winner of Louisville and Clemson on Sunday. Kickoff from WakeMed Soccer Park is set for Noon, with the matchup being televised live on ESPNU.