No. 5 UNC Needs Overtime Goal To Top No. 12 Virginia

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 12th-ranked Virginia men’s soccer team battled No. 5 North Carolina to a scoreless draw for more than 108 minutes, but Tar Heel midfielder Cameron Brown’s goal in the 109th minute gave UNC the 1-0 victory Friday night at Fetzer Field.

With the loss, Virginia’s record dropped to 6-3, 1-3 in the ACC. Carolina, meanwhile, improved to 7-1-1, 3-1 in the league.

The teams were locked in a defensive battle throughout the first half, as the squads combined for seven shots in the first period. UNC had a slight advantage, 4-3, as well as a corner kick to Virginia’s none.

The league’s stingiest goalkeepers, Diego Restrepo (0.50 goals-against average – No. 1 in the ACC) for UVa and Brooks Haggerty (0.60 GAA – No. 2 in the ACC) for North Carolina were each working a respective shutout at the end of regulation.

Brown’s shot, which was a header off of a throw-in, was his fourth goal of the season and third game-winner for the Tar Heels. Zach Loyd and Jordan Graye were credited with assists.

For the game, Restrepo finished with four saves. Offensively for Virginia, Jonathan Villanueva (Grand Prairie, Texas), Tony Tchani (Norfolk, Va.) and Chris Agorsor (Severn, Md.) all had shots on goal, but Haggerty finished with three saves to earn his fourth shutout of the year.

North Carolina evened the all-time series with Virginia (34-34-7) and snapped a two-game Cavalier win streak against the Tar Heels.

It was Virginia’s fifth overtime game of the year and its record went to 3-2 in extra-time games this season.

The Cavaliers are back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when they return to Klöckner Stadium for a 7 p.m. match against Longwood.