Wake Forest men fall to North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina’s Michael Farfan scored his third goal of the season in the 22^nd minute to lift the fourth-ranked Tar Heels to a 1-0 win over Wake Forest on Friday night at Fetzer Field.

With the loss, the Demon Deacons drop to 5-5-1 and 3-1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while North Carolina is now 8-2-0 and a perfect 5-0-0 in league play.

UNC got the only goal of the match midway through the first half as Farfan finished off a pass from McCarthy. Farfan curled a shot from the left side of the field into the right side of the goal.

The Tar Heels held a 19-10 advantage in shots, but shots on target was much closer as North Carolina managed just a 5-4 edge. UNC had seven corner kick opportunities, while Wake Forest earned six corners.

Anthony Arena attempted a team-high three shots to lead Wake Forest, with two of the shots on goal. Sam Redmond attempted two shots in the game.

Farfan scored his third goal of the season for UNC, while McCarthy contributed his first assist. Enzo Martinez led North Carolina with 10 shots, including four that were on frame.

Akira Fitzgerald suffered the loss in goal for the Demon Deacons to drop to 5-5-1. Fitzgerald allowed just one goal and made four saves, including a pair of saves in the second half to keep the Deacs in the match.

Scott Goodwin picked up the win in net for the Tar Heels, making four saves and earning his fourth shutout of the season.

Wake Forest had the first scoring chance of the match in the 18^th minute. Tolani Ibikunle sent in a dangerous cross from the right side of the 18-yard box and Goodwin had the tip the shot over the crossbar for a corner kick.

North Carolina grabbed the lead on a goal from Farfan in the 22^nd minute. McCarthy played a pass to Farfan on the left side of the 18-yard box. Farfan curled a shot into the right side of the net for his third goal of the season.

The Tar Heels had the first good look in the second half with just more than 28 minutes remaining in the game. Kirk Urso played a corner kick that found the head of McCarthy inside the penalty area. McCarthy’s header from 10 yards out went wide left of the goal.

Wake Forest attempted its first shot of the second half in the 66^th minute as Redmond had an attempt that was blocked.

Luciano Delbono put a shot on goal in the 79^th minute, but Goodwin was able to make a diving save on his attempt from 33 yards out.

North Carolina had another chance with 10:30 left in the match as Martinez had a look from 10 yards out that Fitzgerald made a leaping fingertip save to send the ball out for a Tar Heel corner kick.

The Deacs had another chance to equalize in the 85^th minute. Duvall played a corner kick to Russ Coleman, who sent in a cross to the left post. Arena was at the left post and was able to get a head on the ball, but his shot went right to Goodwin for the save.

Wake Forest had one final chance in the final 10 seconds. With seven seconds left in the match, Arena had a free kick from 30 yards out. He blasted a shot toward the left post, but Goodwin made a diving save to preserve the win for North Carolina.

Wake Forest returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Williamsburg, Va., to face William & Mary. Start time is set for 7 p.m.