CARY – The goals have been coming by the bunches for the North Carolina men’s soccer team this season.
Entering Wednesday, the No. 8 Tar Heels were averaging 2.80 goals per contest, tied for the fifth-highest mark in Division I. Meanwhile, defense has been a work in progress.
Through six games, the Tar Heels have yet to record a shutout, something they did in four of their first six matches a year ago. All of that was illustrated on Wednesday night, as eighth-ranked UNC won, 3-2, against William & Mary in Cary at WakeMed Soccer Park, with its offense once again doing the heavy lifting as the Tar Heels improved to 5-1 (1-0 ACC).
Despite UNC leading 1-0 and 2-1, a skilled and determined William & Mary squad drew even on two different occasions, with the second equalizing goal coming in 69th minute.
Four minutes later, senior forward Alan Winn provided the game-winning goal for the Tar Heels. It was his second score of the night.
Like any head coach, UNC’s Carlos Somoano prefers lamenting what his team could have done better after a win, as opposed to a loss.
Even still, his team’s defensive struggles against the Tribe resulted in frustration on his part, and he knows immediate improvement is needed.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to make plays,” he said. “You’ve got to outcompete your opponent. You’ve got a one-versus-one situation. He wins or you win. Sometimes, that’s what it comes down to.”
There has been attrition at key positions. A year ago, seniors Colton Storm and Walker Hume helped anchor a back line that helped UNC reach the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. With both of those stalwarts gone, UNC has had to retool a bit defensively.