Wake Forest holds UNC to a draw

The Wake Forest men’s soccer team came to Fetzer Field Friday night after back-to-back double overtime road games and the Demon Deacon defense held strong to force a third.

Even on tired legs, Wake Forest continually stumped the Tar Heel attack and the game worked its way to a scoreless draw.

“I’m sure their legs were a little tired,” Wake Forest goalkeeper Michael Lisch said, “but they persevered and came up big. They kept out a corner, kept everybody in front and didn’t let them break us down. I was really proud of them.”

Though the Demon Deacons didn’t work specifically on how to handle the Tar Heels in practice, their focus on positioning paid dividends Friday night.

Wake Forest wasn’t necessarily stellar in their one-on-one defensive efforts but more often than not a well placed foot or head turned the Tar Heels away.

“In practice, we always work on our lines and stepping in to different people and covering in balance and tracking guy’s back side,” Lisch said. “When you’re in the right position it just happens.

“That’s the game of soccer — you just get a foot in here and there and you come out on top.”

The Demon Deacons didn’t come on out top on the scoreboard as they couldn’t find the back of the net. But neither did the Tar Heels.

UNC coach Carlos Somoano conceded that the Wake Forest defense played a tight game but also noted that his front line was roughed up.

Martin Murphy gave his best effort despite playing with the flu and Andy Craven, who been a bright spot in UNC’s young attack, was held out of the second half with an injury.

“They worked really hard and it was two teams going toe-to-toe,” Somoano said. “They pressed the ball very well — I think we did too. We just had a little issue in that it seems like every attacking player we have is banged up.”

What was left of the Tar Heel attack struggled to find the rhythm that they are accustomed to playing. And even on the few occasions they found enough space to create, the Wake Forest pressure was still present.

Wake Forest coach Jay Vidovich also admitted that the game was choppy but was pleased with the performance of his defense as they held the top-ranked team in the country off the board.

“We were able to step up and put them under pressure,” Vidovich said. “There were times when they broke us but we did a good job. We put them in some pressure and I don’t think they were very comfortable with the ball at times.”

Tired or not, the legs of the Demon Deacons defense were in the right place at the right time enough times to stifle North Carolina and earn the draw.

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.