M. Soccer: UNC men’s soccer ?ghts through injuries for tie

WINSTON-SALEM —North Carolina’s injury list seems endless: David Rodriguez. Eddie Ababio. Stephen McCarthy. Zach Loyd.

And that’s not even counting two more key Tar Heels who were carted off in Friday night’s game at Wake Forest.

Yet somehow, someway, the No. 2 UNC men’s soccer keeps finding a way to stay competitive — as it tied the sixth-ranked Demon Deacons 2-2 in double overtime.

With an offense that has struggled heavily at times, and a defense that boasts only one starter from the beginning of the season, North Carolina (8-1-2) entered an electric atmosphere and scored its quickest goal of the season.

“The strategy against Wake Forest is always just press them high and press them early,” defender Jordan Graye said. “I guess we got what we deserved in the beginning of the game.”

Two minutes into the contest, sophomore Alex Dixon flicked a bouncing pass by Wake goalie Akira Fitzgerald and into the net. It was Dixon’s second goal of the season and a sorely needed momentum boost.

Even though the game was just beginning, WFU’s pregame festivities had put the crowd in a rowdy state. The Demon Deacons had been led onto the field by the Wake mascot — on a motorcycle, no less. “Welcome to the Jungle” blared on the loudspeakers. The Wake crowd and players bobbed and jumped around.

 “It was great to silence them for a little bit until they got their goal,” Dixon said. “The fans were talking a lot of noise.”

Immediately after his goal, though, Dixon didn’t appear to be in the same such spirits. He had collided with Fitzgerald and lay on the ground feeling dizzy. Eventually, he stood up and hobbled over to the corner flag to celebrate.

Dixon thought he had suffered a concussion. He hadn’t, but several of his teammates would soon find themselves in similarly poor health.

Nearly 12 minutes into the second half — with the game now tied at one apiece — midfielder Michael Farfan was taken down, and UNC was awarded a penalty kick. But while all eyes were focused on the call, another Tar Heel midfielder, Cameron Brown, lay in agony just past midfield.

After a lengthy delay, Brown was taken off in a stretcher.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year,” Graye said. “I’d say about half our starting lineup is injured or out for the season. We don’t use that as an excuse.”

Still, it would be fair if they did. For later in the second half, the team’s goalkeeper, Brooks Haggerty, hurt his arm and was taken off in a golf cart.

Even so, UNC refused to yield. In the overtime periods, Wake (7-2-2) wasn’t afforded many chances and could manage only a tie.

And in reality, if either team could claim stake at a victory — or rather, missed scoring opportunities — it would likely be the Tar Heels. With a porous first half after the Dixon goal, UNC responded with 11 shots in the second stanza.

Farfan played brilliantly, finessing several good-looking shots at goal – one of which was a penalty kick score. Twenty minutes into the second half, freshman Enzo Martinez had a one-on-one opportunity with Fitzgerald, but his shot was blocked by a trailing defender.

Considering the surroundings, the opponent and the situation, it’s likely a result coach Elmar Bolowich won’t mind taking.

“(The outcome) is a credit to those guys,” Bolowich said. “They’re working extremely hard on the pitch, and they’re good players, too. It’s not like we’re throwing chopped meat on the field. We still have a formidable squad.”


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.