Twenty-two NCAA tournament appearances. Three championship games. Two national titles.
But it's been 56 years since the North Carolina men's soccer team started a season as well as this year's squad.
The No. 2 Tar Heels entered Friday's match at Pittsburgh boasting an undefeated record. And they left with that record still intact, improving to 8-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in the ACC after a 2-0 victory.
Conditions were not favorable in Pittsburgh, as it was cold and windy. But the weather did not keep North Carolina from exploiting Pittsburgh’s defense.
Although they did not score a goal, the Tar Heels outshot the Panthers 4-1 in the first half. When play resumed, North Carolina started breaking down a Pittsburgh defense that was rapidly losing stamina and looking less organized. But UNC was unable to break the game open.
With the match still scoreless in the 83rd minute, North Carolina appeared to have its best chance at a goal when senior midfielder Raby George was fouled in the box, awarding him a penalty kick. But his shot sailed wide, and the Tar Heels were again left searching for a game-winning goal.
About two minutes later, junior defender Colton Storm scored that goal. He went through three Pittsburgh defenders on his way to the center of the box before depositing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Redshirt junior forward Tucker Hume scored UNC's second and final goal with three minutes left, sealing the win for the Tar Heels.
