Men’s Soccer Rallies For 2-1 Win Over California

Saturday, September 28

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 PM

North Carolina

6-0-3, 3-0-0

California

3-5-1, 0-3-1

California

North Carolina

Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ

September 28, 2024 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After trailing 1-0, the third-ranked North Carolina men's soccer team (6-0-3, 3-0 ACC) rallied for a 2-1 win over California (3-5-1, 0-3-1 ACC) behind goals from Parker O'Ferral and Ahmad Al-Qaq on Saturday night at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels remain undefeated on the season, the longest streak since going 8-0-1 in 2015.

How It Happened
●      The home team had an early chance in the 10th minute when a loose ball found Sam Williams who got off a low shot, which was ultimately denied by Cal keeper Marco Brougher.
●      The Golden Bears had a pair of shots in the final 10 minutes of the first half, but Andrew Cordes was there for both stops.
●      Despite the deadlock, UNC held a 5-2 advantage in shots as well as a slight 3-2 edge in corners heading into the break.
●      The Tar Heels started the second half aggressive with Al-Qaq quickly firing off back-to-back shots to force Brougher to make the save on both attempts.
●      It was Cal who got on the board first in the 59th minute. Nonso Adimabua received the ball from a throw-in, and his shot from the top of the box landed in the upper 90.
●      UNC responded eight minutes later with the equalizer. Andrew Czech sent a pass back from the right flank to Al-Qaq at the top of the 18, whose first touch was a service into the box. Coming in from the back, O'Ferral volleyed it in with his right boot; His shot hit the crossbar but deflected off Brougher into the side netting.
●      Al-Qaq scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 80th minute off an incredible individual effort. Charging down the right side, he cut inside just slightly and had enough space to fire off a lethal right-footed strike from distance to the upper corner of the far post.
●      Cordes came up big with yet another save in the 86th minute to deny the visitors the chance to even the score, as UNC held strong for the come-from-behind 2-1 win.

Inside The Numbers
●      O'Ferral scored his first goal of the year while Al-Qaq netted his second.
●      It was the second game-winning goal of Al-Qaq's career, and his first three-point effort.
●      Al-Qaq and Czech both picked up their second assists of the season.
●      Behind Al-Qaq's game-high five, UNC out-shot Cal 13-7.
●      Cordes made a season-high four saves between the posts.
●      Seven Tar Heels logged a full 90 minutes: Matthew Acosta, Cordes, Czech, Charlie Harper, Tate Johnson, Riley Thomas and Sam Williams.

Up Next
●      Carolina hits the road for another ACC contest at Clemson on Friday, Oct. 4.
●      The match will begin at 7 p.m. ET on ACCNX.