Men’s Soccer Falls To UAB, 2-1

Wednesday, October 15

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 PM

North Carolina

7-2-4, 1-0-4

UAB

4-7-1, 1-4-0

UAB

North Carolina

October 15, 2025 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina men's soccer team dropped just its second match of the season, falling 2-1 to UAB on Wednesday night. The Heels opened the scoring early with a goal from Nacho Abeal in the 9' and outshot UAB 22-9 but the Blazers took a couple of chances and were able to see the match out.

The Tar Heels fell to 7-2-4 (1-0-4 ACC), while the Blazers now sit at 4-7-1 (1-4-0 AAC).

How It Happened

9' – Nacho Abeal smashed one home from right in front of goal on a delicious cross from Bertil Rygaard Hansen.
23' – Carolina earned a corner but Jack Sandmeyer's shot was saved.
25' – Bertil Rygaard Hansen had an attempt on goal but was unable to trouble the keeper.
33' – Dan Klink had an effort on goal forcing a nice save from UAB's Francisco Ranieri.
34' – UAB's Humphrey Doh picked up a yellow card for a rough challenge.
37' – Dan Klink rose above the defender to meet a Luca Nikolai cross but couldn't get the header on target.
42' – UAB's Patrik Fagan scores completely against the run of play to tie things at one.
55' – UAB used a corner that gets through the defense and is knocked in to the net by Andrew Czech for an own goal.
62' – Luca Nikolai and Bertil Rygaard Hansen worked a nice 1-2 but Rygaard Hansen's shot was saved.
67' – Luca Nikolai shot just wide from range.
84' – Abubaker Mayanja attempted a bicycle kick that worked the keeper but he was able to scramble and keep it out.

Inside the Box Score

Tar Heels put four of their six first-half shots on goal.
UAB tallied three shots with two on goal during the first half.
UNC outshot UAB 22-9 and 11-4 in shots on goal.
The Heels forced UAB's keeper into 10 saves.

Tar Heel Tidbits

Nacho Abeal scored his fifth of the season and the 16th of his career.
Bertil Rygaard Hansen picked up his second assist of the season and the fourth of his career.
Luca Nikolai tallied his fifth assist of the season and the 11th of his career.
UAB's goal in the 42' was the first allowed by the Heels in 458 minutes of game action.

Up Next
North Carolina will finish its three-match homestand when it hosts ACC foe Virginia Tech at Dorrance Field on Sunday at 5 p.m. The Heels and Hokies have met 28 times previously with Carolina holding a 22-4-2 advantage.

Stay up to date with UNC men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.