CHAPEL HILL, N.C.. — The No. 11 Fighting Irish men’s soccer team fell to UNC at Dorrance Field in the regular season finale by a score of 3-1 on Friday afternoon.
The Tar Heels scored all three goals in the first half. Notre Dame tried to get back into the match, as Ethan O’Brien scored in the 65th minute but it was not enough in the defeat.
Notre Dame finishes the regular season with a record of 9-5-2 (4-2-2 ACC) and await
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tar Heels jumped on the Irish early, scoring twice in the first two minutes to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Irish tried to get back in the game in the first half and had a chance to cut the deficit to one in the 39th minute. McCartney whipped a free kick into the box and connected with Philip Quinton but the senior’s headed effort was right at the Tar Heel keeper.
Just before the break UNC managed to score again, tacking on a third goal to make it a 3-0 game heading into the halftime intermission.
The Irish were able to get on the board in the 65th minute to trim the Tar Heels’ lead to 3-1. Jack Lynn and Daniel Russo worked a beautiful give-and-go in the box, resulting in a shot by Lynn. The UNC keeper saved it but the rebound bounced right to Ethan O’Brien who slotted his shot into the net for his second goal of the season.
Notre Dame had a great chance to make it a one-goal game in the 71st minute. Russo found himself open in the box for a header but his effort glanced just wide of the post.
The Tar Heels saw out the rest of the match and secured the 3-1 win to wrap up the regular season.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“Obviously we are disappointed with the result. I thought we started the game naively and credit to UNC they punished us. I am proud of the effort the team put in the second half. We will learn from it and will be better from it.”
UP NEXT
The Irish will begin the ACC Championship play at Alumni Stadium either with a first round matchup on Wednesday, Nov. 3 or with a bye to the second round on Sunday, Nov. 7. The entire ACC Championship bracket will be set following the conclusion of Friday’s matches.
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