CARY – As training camp marked the beginning of his North Carolina men's soccer career, Alec Smir thought it might be a while before he would see the field.
It wasn't because he doubted himself as a goalkeeper, but because of the others around him at his position. There was James Pyle, the third-team All-ACC selection a year ago who started for a Tar Heel team that was one win away from playing for a national championship.
There was also Drew Romig, a talented redshirt first-year who already had a year of college experience under his belt.
“He thought he was going to redshirt,” midfielder Cam Lindley said of his friend, Smir.
Fast forward to the end of September, and Smir is starting in the net for the fifth-ranked Tar Heels, who just won their eighth consecutive game.
An injury to Pyle, who hasn’t played since Aug. 27 against Rutgers, opened the door for Smir. After Romig started three games – one of which was the Tar Heels' lone loss on the season to UNC Wilmington – Smir got his chance. In his six starts since then, he hasn’t disappointed.
In UNC’s 1-0 win against rival N.C. State Friday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, Smir proved his importance to his team and came up with three crucial saves in the final 10 minutes of the victory after being untested for the greater part of the match.
Having earned his second clean sheet in as many games, Smir feels he is adjusting well to the college game, and his unexpected role as starting goalkeeper.
“After tonight, it feels good,” he said. “To get a second shutout, that’s really what we need to strive for.”