The North Carolina men’s soccer team beat UNC-Charlotte 1-0 in the final of the College Cup on Sunday in Hoover, Ala.
Ben Speas hit the game winner in the 65th minute when he took on the back line by himself with a excellent display of footwork. The Tar Heels had struggled with possession for most of the game and were even out shot 19-10 for the game.
UNC tried to build with their usual flow for most of the game but none of those efforts lead to a shot on goal. Speas’ shot was the only shot of the day for UNC to be on frame.
And it was the only one they needed.
UNC-Charlotte finished the game with a wild flurry of attempts on goal, all batted away by Scott Goodwin, the cross bar, and one crucial diving header from Jordan Gafa.
This is the Tar Heel’s first title since 2001 and comes at the end of a four year run of consecutive College Cups.
For Speas however, it is his second national title in as many years as he was a member of last year’s Akron team.
