#6 North Carolina Defeats Clemson 2-0

CLEMSON, SC—Jonathan Campbell and Mikey Lopez both scored goals in leading sixth-ranked North Carolina to a 2-0 win over Clemson in a men’s Atlantic Coast Conference soccer match at Clemson, SC Friday night.

With the win, the Tar Heels improve to 9-1-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the ACC.   Clemson falls to 4-6-2 overall and 2-2-1 in league play.    North Carolina is the defending National Champions and is currently ranked sixth nationally.

“We made two costly mistakes in giving up the first goal,” said Clemson Head Coach Mike Noonan.  We should have had another man in the wall, and we should have been more aggressive to the ball on the rebound—two mental errors.  North Carolina is a good team and when you make mistakes, they will capitalize on them.”

The Tar Heels scored at the 35:26 mark into the match.   On a free kick, Cameron Brown took a long-range shot from 30 yards out.    The shot deflected off of Clemson’s goalkeeper Cody Mizell.   The rebound went in the air, and an open Jonathan Campbell headed the ball in from 11 yards out for his first goal of the season to put North Carolina ahead 1-0.

North Carolina added a second goal early in the second half in the 58th minute.   Mikey Lopez dribbled in the middle of the Clemson half of the field.    He fired a 27- yard shot and sent the ball in the upper left corner of the netting for his second goal of the season.

For the match, Clemson outshot North Carolina 9-8, and the Tigers had five corner kicks to the Tar Heels’ none.   Mizell of Clemson made two saves in goal, while Scott Goodwin made one.

“We played well enough to win,” said Noonan.     Out final ball was not good enough.    The players did what we asked--we needed a final ball, but we didn’t get it.   I thought we were organized and played well.   I think our quality of play is attractive and appealing.    We are working hard in practice, and our players are enjoying our style of play.   Last week the ball fell the right way, it didn’t tonight.    

“Give North Carolina credit.   When you give them time and space they will hurt you.   We are going to keep doing the same things in practice and work hard,” said Noonan.     “We will take something from this game and get ready for Furman next Tuesday.”

Clemson will play at Furman on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Tigers’ next action.

North Carolina 2, Clemson 0
North Carolina—Jonathan Campbell (Cameron Brown) 35:26
North Carolina—Mikey Lopez (Unassisted) 56:54

Shots:  Clemson 9, North Carolina 8
Corner Kicks:  Clemson 5, North Carolina 0
Saves:  Cody Mizell (CU) 2, Scott Goodwin (NC) 1
Fouls:  Clemson 16, North Carolina 14
Attendance:  2,127