SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The seventh-seeded University of North Carolina men’s soccer team dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to second-seed Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Sunday evening in Syracuse, N.Y.
Carolina (8-5-5, 2-4-4) had the lone scoring opportunity of the first half in the 11th minute as Ernest Bawa sent a strike to the center of the net, which was ultimately saved by Russell Shealy of Syracuse (13-2-3, 5-1-2). From there, it was a defensive battle between the two teams as only a combined four shots were recorded during the opening frame.
The Tar Heels came into the second half aggressive, breaking through the Orange’s defense to get into the attacking third. Daniel Kutsch saw a good look in the 48th minute while Yaya Bakayoko had another chance for the go-ahead goal in the 67th minute, but both tries were denied by Shealy.
It continued to go back-and-forth between Carolina and Syracuse throughout the remainder of the second half. Cameron Fisher had an attempt in the 84th minute but Shealy, who had four stops on the night, was once again there for the save. All four of UNC’s shots during the contest were on target.
A late goal from Levonte Johnson with four minutes left in regulation gave Syracuse a 1-0 lead it would hold on to until the final whistle. The Orange, ranked fourth nationally, now advance to face Virginia, the tournament’s third seed, in the semifinal on Wednesday.
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