No. 15 Men’s Soccer Makes It Three In A Row With 2-0 Win Over Evansville

Thursday, August 28

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7:30 PM

North Carolina

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Evansville

0-1-2, 0-0-0

Evansville

North Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

No. 15 Men’s Soccer Makes It Three In A Row With 2-0 Win Over Evansville

August 28, 2025 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina men's soccer program used a second half surge to topple Evansville 2-0 and remain undefeated on the season. In what was a chippy match, Carolina held strong defensively and was able to grind out two goals while keeping a clean sheet.

The Tar Heels improved to (3-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC), while the Purple Aces moved to 0-1-2 (0-0-0 MVC).

How It Happened

North Carolina put pressure on Evansville in the first half, but could not find the back of the net. Gabriel Bracken Serra had the best chance of the half in the 25th minute right in front of the net, but was denied on the doorstep by the Evansville goalie.
The match was scoreless at half with Evansville receiving a yellow card.
As the second half started, Nacho Abeal was given a yellow card, adding to the intensity of the match.
Carolina finally broke through in the 69th minute on a Ryan Dugan bouncing volley. Dugan was assisted by Nacho Abeal, who played the ball into the box and Andrew Czech headed it across to him.
Five and a half minutes later, Carolina won a corner which Nacho Abeal played short to Luca Nikolai. The Mac Hermann Award watch list member took the pass from Abeal, dribbled into the box, and rifled a shot off the cross bar and down into the back of the net to double the Tar Heels' advantage.
Andrew Cordes and the defense held strong for the rest of the match to preserve the clean sheet.

Inside the Box Score

Ryan Dugan's goal in the 69th minute was the second of his career and his first game winner.
Luca Nikolai's goal in the 75th minute was the sixth of his career.
Carolina outshot Evansville 12-3.
Andrew Cordes was only required to make one save in the shutout victory.
Six Tar Heel outfield players played all 90 minutes.
Carolina used seven subs, six of which played at least 10 minutes.

Tar Heel Tidbits

This was the third match-up in series history with UNC holding 3-0-0 advantage.
UNC has opened the season with three straight victories for the fourth time in Coach Somoano's tenure and the first time since 2016.

Up Next
North Carolina will hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to play College of Charleston on Monday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. This will be the 12th match-up of the series with UNC holding a 7-3-1 advantage.

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