The UNC men’s soccer team continued its unbeaten run in 2023 on Tuesday, defeating Elon 2-0 at Dorrance Field.

Despite the final scoreline, it was the visiting Phoenix who had the upper hand in the first half. Elon outshot the Tar Heels 4-2 in the opening 45 minutes, but momentum shifted in favor of the hosts in the second half when Carolina earned a penalty kick in the 64th minute. Quenzi Huerman took full advantage, converting the PK and giving UNC the 1-0 lead. Huerman has now scored seven of Carolina’s 15 goals on the season so far.

A slew of yellow cards against Elon followed as the match drew to a close, with the Phoenix drawing five cards in the final six minutes of play. Ahmad Al Qaq’s match-clinching goal in the 90th minute to make the score 2-0 was almost an afterthought.

UNC goalkeeper Andrew Cordes made three saves to earn a clean sheet on the night, including one in the 76th minute on what would have been an Elon equalizer. Cordes and the Carolina defense still have not allowed multiple goals in a match all season.

The Tar Heels are now 5-0-4 on the season, but will now face perhaps their biggest challenge yet as defending national champion Syracuse visits Chapel Hill on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ACC Network.

 

Featured image via UNC Men’s Soccer on Twitter


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