Subs step up for men's soccer in 3-2, double-overtime win over Clemson

The readiness of substitutes, like junior defender Walker Hume, to make an immediate impact proved to be the difference for the North Carolina men’s soccer team Friday night.

“Carlos (Somoano) told us that he had 18 players that were going to have an impact on the game,” Hume said. “So when he called my name, I was ready to play.”

Filling in for injured junior Jonathan Campbell, Hume was brilliant throughout the match for the Tar Heels (6-4-0, 2-2-0 ACC) against Clemson (5-5-0, 2-2-0 ACC) in a 3-2 double-overtime victory at Fetzer Field.

Hume was involved in two of UNC’s three goals, assisting the first one and scoring the second — which sent the game into the first overtime period. His play proved pivotal as Clemson took a 2-0 lead in the game’s first 35 minutes.

Diego Campos opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as he knocked in an Ara Amirkhanian cross. But just as it appeared UNC would equalize, Clemson’s Austen Burnikel capitalized on a defensive lapse and put a breakaway finish past keeper Brendan Moore — giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead late in the first half despite being significantly outshot and out-possessed.

UNC’s mistakes forced Somoano to make tactical changes, giving new players, such as Hume, a chance to contribute.

Two minutes before halftime, Somoano’s decisions paid off, as Hume and fellow sub Zach Wright combined for Wright’s first career goal.

The second half was all UNC, as Clemson was forced to withstand a flurry of strikes on target.

A physical contest throughout, the game became chippy in the 66th minute as UNC’s Omar Holness and Clemson’s Phanuel Kavita drew double yellow cards for a shoving match near the sideline. Holness’ fire set the tone, as UNC played with passion throughout the final third of the contest.

Somoano’s substitutes again paid off in the 78th minute, as Hume’s left-footed strike tied the contest at two apiece sending it into overtime.

After a scoreless first period in overtime, Somoano’s insertion of freshman defender David October was the spark his squad needed.

Two minutes into the second overtime, October’s left-side run resulted in a rash challenge by a defender, for a UNC penalty kick.

In a volatile matchup, the Tar Heels knew they could count on the calmness of junior midfielder Raby George to step up and take the penalty. Their belief in George was rewarded, as he stepped up and beat the keeper with a classy penalty to snap the team’s three-game skid.

George credited his teammates for bringing UNC back after facing a two-goal deficit.

“Getting the PK, fighting hard to come back from 0-2 to 2-2, that was the hard part,” George said. “I just had to step up and punch it in.”

The spark provided by substitutes could be the missing piece of the puzzle as UNC looks to regain its early season form.

“We haven’t been a big substituting team in the past,” Somoano said. “But if you’ve got them, you’ve got to utilize your strengths.”

sports@dailytarheel.com