During practices leading up to the first round of the NCAA tournament, coach Carlos Somoano had his team practice penalty kicks just in case the game ended in another draw.
However, the Tar Heels showed early on that they wanted no part in a shootout with South Florida after freshman midfielder Omar Holness put the ball in the back of the net during the fourth minute of the game to take a 1-0 lead.
The goal came on the first corner of the game and the first shot for the Tar Heels. Junior forward Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler drove the corner right to an open Omar Holness, who volleyed the ball in for his second goal of the year.
USF didn’t have too many chances throughout the first half, with the exception of a 25-yard free kick taken by Stiven Salinas in the 43rd minute. It would be the Bulls only shot on goal of the half.
Here’s how the numbers broke down:
Shots: UNC 5, USF 3
On goal: UNC 4, USF 1
Corners: UNC 2, USF 1
Fouls: USF 7, UNC 5
Saves:USF 3, UNC 1
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
