If there’s only one defender between an opponent with the ball and goalkeeper Scott Goodwin — the North Carolina men’s soccer team wants it to be the guy wearing No. 4.
The roster says that’s Boyd Okwuonu.
But none of his teammates or coaches call him that.
He goes by O.C., which is short for his African name Obunikechukwu.
Boyd was the name given to him by the nurse that helped deliver him because his parents had recently moved from Nigeria and didn’t know many American names.
Whatever he’s called, he’s also called good.
“What special about O.C. is he’s extremely driven and he showed up here,” coach Carlos Somoano said after UNC’s 1-0 overtime win against Wofford Tuesday night.
“It’s a good example of when you have some talent and ability and you really work at it and do the right thing you get the reward. And he deserves a lot of recognition in my opinion.”
That ability was on full display in the second half against Wofford even as the Tar Heels played a man down after Andy Craven was sent off early in the match.