Tar Heels Fall To Portland In Season Opener

by Dave Lohse
August 18, 2012
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>PORTLAND, ORE. &ndash;&nbsp; </strong>Ellen Parker of Portland scored off a set piece just over four minutes into the match and the goal held up for a 1-0 victory for the Pilots over fourth-ranked North Carolina Friday night.&nbsp; A crowd of 4,014 fans was on hand at Merlo Field as the Pilots beat the Tar Heels for the first time in 10 tries.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It was a tough night for the Tar Heels, who lost a season opener for only the fourth time in school history.&nbsp; UNC outshot the Pilots 20-7 on the night but only four of Carolina&rsquo;s 20 shots were on goal and the lack of shooting accuracy doomed the Tar Heels&rsquo; chance at a comeback win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Portland was very efficient on its seven shots.&nbsp; The Pilots placed four of their seven on goal, scoring the goal by Parker at 4:02 and then forcing Adelaide Gay into three saves.&nbsp; Erin Dees made four saves in goals for the Pilots (1-0).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tar Heels also led in corner kicks 7-2 but were unable to get a goal off their set pieces.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>UNC also fell victim to injury woes as senior defender Megan Brigman left the game less than four minutes in and did not return.&nbsp; She was in crutches on the best in the second half.&nbsp; Sophomore Brooke Elby left the game on a cart with her right leg in an air cast with seven minutes to play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The goal came about a little over four minutes in when UNC committed a foul just outside the right side of the box.&nbsp; On the restart, Amanda Frisbie sent her free kick into a dangerous spot at the four-yard line and Ellen Parker redirected it into the lower left corner of the goal.&nbsp; UNC goalkeeper Adelaide Gay got her hands on the shot but was unable to keep it out of the net.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Carolina will have a week off to prepare for ninth-ranked Florida.&nbsp; The Gators visit Fetzer Field next Friday at 7 p.m. for a game in the Carolina Nike Classic.&nbsp; The ninth-ranked Gators were upset Friday night in their season opener by a 4-1 score by Miami in a match played in Gainesville, Fla.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
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