In an in-state battle, the North Carolina men’s soccer team (3-2-2) tied against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks (3-1-3), 0-0, Tuesday night at Dorrance Field.
What happened?
UNC ended the Seahawks’ initial possession quickly and flipped early pressure on Wilmington. In the seventh minute, fifth-year midfielder Milo Garvanian worked his way deep into UNCW’s goalie box before a Seahawk defender booted out his pass attempt out of North Carolina's attacking zone.
On the counterattack, Wilmington looked to have found a crease in the Tar Heels’ backline. But a Seahawk offside ended UNCW’s push to return possession back to North Carolina.
The two squads would continue to trade empty possessions, as neither team registered a shot during the first 20 minutes of action.
After subbing into the contest, Ernest Bawa left his mark early, firing the night’s first shot attempt. The junior midfielder’s right-footed boot was punched away by senior goalie Gabriel Perrotta, keeping the tilt scoreless.
Bawa’s quick strike turned the tide for UNC’s offense, as the Tar Heels would tally five more shots in the first half. Yet, each opportunity failed to find the back of the net and North Carolina went into the half tied at zero.
Out of the break, UNC looked to break the standstill. Redshirt junior Key White found himself in a one-on-one scenario early in the second half, but Perrotta tipped White’s line-drive shot out of play.
Moments later, sophomore midfielder Juan Caffaro joined the mix of Tar Heels with opportune chances. In a span of two minutes, the transfer from Barry University lasered two shots on goal — the second of which was feet from bouncing into the goal.
