Senior nights are always emotional. The senior athletes’ parents accompany them in a pregame ceremony that recognizes their accomplishments throughout their athletic careers, and oftentimes, senior non-starters are in the starting lineup.
The fanfare, however, usually ends once the referee blows the first whistle.
Friday night at Fetzer Field, the North Carolina men’s soccer seniors deviated from the normal script.
In UNC’s 2-1 overtime win against North Carolina State University, seniors Matt Hedges and Kirk Urso played significant roles in defeating the Wolfpack and propelling the Tar Heels to the top of the ACC standings.
“I’m glad (the seniors) came through and actually got the stats,” UNC coach Carlos Somoano said. “I think they played with a little weight on their shoulders tonight … but in the end, they came through and that’s a great sign.”
The seniors — Hedges, Urso, defender Drew McKinney and midfielder Cameron Brown — wanted to make the most of their last regular-season game on home soil, especially against an ACC opponent.
It was Hedges, a defender who doesn’t typically light up the stat sheet, who started the seniors’ special night. After junior forward Robby Lovejoy’s shot was deflected into Hedges’ path just inside the six-yard box in the 32nd minute, the senior back-heeled the ball into the lower left corner for his third goal of the season.
“Rob just took a shot and it just came right at me,” Hedges said. “I just tapped it right in the goal. It might’ve been a little lucky, but I’ll take it.”
Lucky or not, Hedges’ goal proved to be the only difference at halftime.
