In the season opener, the No. 24 North Carolina men’s soccer team (1-0) defeated the Air Force Falcons (0-1), 2-1, Thursday night at Dorrance Field.
What happened?
From the first kick, UNC quickly established itself on the offensive end. In the fourth minute, senior midfielder Cameron Fisher blasted a shot steps outside of the goalie box, but a Falcon deflection sent his shot wayward.
Milo Garvanian sent in a hooking cross in the same minute that looked to be promising for North Carolina. However, the graduate midfielder's chip sailed inches above junior forward Akeim Clarke’s header attempt.
After spending most of the early goings in North Carolina’s attacking third, Air Force devised a fruitful counter. The Falcons capitalized on miscommunication within UNC’s back line to set up a two-on-zero breakaway opportunity.
With no Tar Heel defender in sight, junior forward Thaddaeus Dewing gingerly dribbled inside the box and chipped in the game’s first goal.
Despite the early blow, North Carolina’s aggressive attack continued. Yet, numerous corner and free kick attempts resulted in no goals for the Tar Heels — who looked to be heading into the half down a goal.
After a pair of late-half substitutions, the Tar Heels found the back of the net. Redshirt junior forward Key White blitzed past the Falcon defense, and sent a cross that ricocheted to Garvanian. With one touch, the Albuquerque, N.M. native’s left-footed boot tied the contest up.
White stamped his name on the match with just over a minute remaining in the half. Garvanian’s cross-pitch pass set up White in the open field, who raced past a pair of Air Force defenders before lasering his first goal, giving North Carolina a 2-1 lead.
