News Summary
In a highly competitive match, North Carolina men’s soccer faced No. 5 N.C. State, resulting in a scoreless draw at Dail Soccer Stadium. The game featured strong defenses and key saves, particularly from UNC’s senior goalkeeper Andrew Cordes. Both teams had limited scoring opportunities before the match ended without any goals. This draw marks the beginning of Atlantic Coast Conference play for both teams, highlighting the defensive prowess on display. North Carolina’s next game will be against No. 7 Wake Forest, while N.C. State prepares for Stetson.
Raleigh, N.C.—North Carolina Men’s Soccer Opens Conference Play with Scoreless Draw Against N.C. State
In the opening game of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matches, North Carolina men’s soccer and No. 5 N.C. State played to a scoreless tie on Friday evening at Dail Soccer Stadium in Raleigh. Both teams entered the game with strong early-season records; North Carolina now stands at 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw (3-1-1), while N.C. State holds a 3-0-1 record, with their first conference game ending in a draw at 0-0-1.
Game Summary
The match was highly competitive but largely contained in the midfield, with few clear scoring chances for either side. North Carolina controlled possession early but struggled to convert opportunities into goals. The game’s pivotal moments involved tight defense and notable goalkeeping.
Key Moments and Performance
Senior goalkeeper Andrew Cordes played an essential role for UNC, making seven saves and maintaining a clean sheet throughout the match. His efforts kept the Tar Heels in contention, especially with both teams facing defensive challenges in the tight contest.
In the 15th minute, N.C. State’s Max Fisher sent a through ball into UNC’s penalty area, setting up Nacho Abeal for a shot that narrowly missed wide. Later, in the 25th minute, Aidan Payne of N.C. State appeared to score, but the goal was disallowed after a video review determined an offside infraction.
The sides exchanged set-piece opportunities in the 31st and 33rd minutes, with free kicks from both teams that failed to produce scoring chances. Just before halftime, Cordes handled a corner kick from NC State, and the first half ended with no goals scored.
Second-Half Action
The second half opened with continued tense battles. Just four minutes in, N.C. State earned a corner kick, and Cordes punched away a shot from Aidan Payne to prevent a goal. In the 61st minute, UNC threatened on a break led by Nacho Abeal, but a N.C. State defender thwarted the shot attempt.
The game remained scoreless until 73rd minute, when Cordes made a critical save, punching away a shot from N.C. State. In the final stages, N.C. State’s Donovan Phillip hit the top left post in the 75th minute, narrowly missing a decisive goal.
In the last seven minutes, North Carolina pushed forward but was unable to break through. A corner kick for UNC led to a header from Callum Frogson that was cleared off the goal line by N.C. State defenders, cementing the 0-0 result.
Post-Match Comments and Upcoming Fixtures
North Carolina’s team representative described their performance as encouraging, highlighting their early-season offensive struggles but emphasizing potential for improvement. The Tar Heels are set to host No. 7 Wake Forest next Friday at 7 p.m. at Dorrance Field.
Attendance for the match was notable, with over 5,000 fans present at Dail Soccer Stadium, setting a new record for N.C. State’s men’s soccer program. The previous attendance record was 3,241 fans for a game earlier in the season against Wofford.
NC State’s head coach acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd and expressed disappointment in the outcome despite the strong support. Their next game will be at home against Stetson on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Additional Context
The match marked an important start to the ACC schedule for both teams. North Carolina has now gone two consecutive games without scoring, emphasizing the need for offensive adjustments moving forward. Meanwhile, N.C. State remains undefeated in regulation, with their first conference fixture ending in a draw.
Both teams showed defensive resilience and disciplined play, with N.C. State’s record crowd demonstrating significant local support for college men’s soccer. The upcoming fixtures promise to be competitive as teams seek to strengthen their standings in the conference race.
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Additional Resources
- GoHeels: Men’s Soccer Secures a Hard-Earned Draw at No. 5 N.C. State
- GoPack: 5 Wolfpack Collects a Scoreless Draw Against North Carolina
- Daily Tar Heel: Men’s Soccer NC State Gamer
- 247Sports: No. 5 N.C. State Men’s Soccer Shatters Attendance Record
- Wikipedia: North Carolina Tar Heels Men’s Soccer
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
