CARY — Through a combination of high-pressing defense and transitional offense, the No. 7 North Carolina men's soccer team maintained its momentum on Tuesday night, defeating George Washington, 4-1.
The Tar Heels (7-1) sent wave after wave at the Colonials' defense to extend their winning streak to five games.
Despite dominating possession, UNC didn't attempt a shot through the game’s first 19 minutes. But the aggressive attack played out perfectly 20 minutes into the game.
After receiving a long ball from defenseman Alex Comsia, Zach Wright slashed through the George Washington (2-4-1) defense and found David October at the top of the 18-yard box. October fired the Tar Heels’ first shot of the game home for an early 1-0 lead.
Wright, who tallied three assists in total, said this quick transition was exactly what the Tar Heels look to execute every time they get the ball.
“We go into every game high pressing and we look to transition quickly,” he said. “So we can just pick the ball off and go forward right off the bat.”
All three of Wright’s assists came from similar endline runs where he slashed through the defense before passing the ball back into the middle to open teammates.
Wright has tallied six assists in the season and said his intent was to draw the defense away from open players inside the box, which he did repeatedly against George Washington.
Head coach Carlos Somoano knows what kind of impact his senior forward has for the offense.