The North Carolina men’s soccer team (7-4-4, 2-3-3 ACC) defeated William & Mary (4-6-6, 2-3-3 Colonial Athletic Association) on the road Tuesday, 3-0, to close its non-conference slate.
What happened?
North Carolina came out firing, scoring just under four minutes into the contest by way of a goal from first-year midfielder Sam Williams. The goal was just the second of Williams’ North Carolina career.
Moments later, junior Ernest Bawa scored again to give UNC a 2-0 lead before the match entered the 10th minute. The goal extended an impressive run for Bawa, who added a goal contribution for the third time in the last four games. Before an Oct. 14 match with N.C. State, Bawa hadn’t scored or assisted all season.
By the end of the first half, the Tar Heels had added another goal and outshot the Tribe 6-2 in the opening 45 minutes.
Though North Carolina didn’t go on to score in the second frame, its offensive pressure persisted. The Tar Heels created three more shots, forcing William & Mary goalkeeper Will Stack to make two saves.
At the end of the night, UNC left Williamsburg, Va. with a 3-0 victory and earned its first win since an Oct. 11 bout with VCU.
Who stood out?
Bawa’s role in a struggling UNC attack continued to grow on Tuesday, despite playing just 48 minutes. The junior has scored or assisted on half of the Tar Heels’ goals in the past four games and is currently tied for third on the team in both goals and assists despite his contributions beginning in the back half of the season.
