Prior to Tuesday night, senior midfielder Milo Garvanian had only scored once for UNC men’s soccer. It was a match his freshman season against Pittsburgh, with the New Mexico native heading home a cross in double overtime to give Carolina the win.

Against #14 Loyola Marymount on Tuesday, Garvanian’s finishing was once again the difference in earning the Tar Heels a 2-0 win at Dorrance Field.

His goal from the penalty spot in the sixth minute put Carolina on top, while also marking the earliest lead UNC men’s soccer has held so far this season. Garvanian followed up the effort with another goal 17 minutes later, firing in a shot from outside the penalty box off assists from sophomore Yaya Bakayoko and fifth-year senior Santiago Herrera.

From there, the Carolina offense continued to pressure Loyola Marymount, tallying 11 shots to the Lions’ four shots. Goalkeeper Alec Smir ended with two saves to preserve the clean sheet, marking the Tar Heels’ eighth shutout win this fall.

Following the game, men’s soccer head coach Carolos Somoano commented on Garvanian’s first-half scoring efforts.

“We had the penalty that was really well taken, and he’s been up there quite a bit,” said Somoano. “I think it’s the same philosophy. If you keep sticking to the principles eventually, we’ll be able to execute. I’m sure it feels good.”

The win over a ranked opponent helps UNC rebound from losing two of its last three matches, which further dropped them out of national polls. Up next for Somoano’s program is a trip to Virginia Tech on Sunday, with first kick expected for 7 p.m.

 

Photo via Carolina Athletics/Jeffrey A. Camarati.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

Related Stories
‹
This Week in UNC Sports: September 21-27, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. It’s a lighter week for UNC sports as we approach the end of […]
UNC Sports: Women's Soccer Wins; Men's Soccer, Field Hockey Both Lose
It was a busy weekend across the UNC sports spectrum, as both soccer teams and the field hockey team were in action late Saturday and early Sunday. The women’s soccer team continued its hot streak with a blowout win, while the men’s soccer and field hockey teams each suffered conference losses. The men’s team took […]
UNC Men's Soccer Shuts Out American at Dorrance Field
A dominant UNC effort held visiting American without a single shot on target in a 2-0 win at Dorrance Field Tuesday night. Job done ☑️ UNC dominates American and comes away with three points to improve to 2-1-3! The Heels are back in action Saturday night when we host No. 21 Clemson at 7 pm. […]
This Week in UNC Sports: September 14-20, 2026
The upcoming week offers several high-caliber matchups for multiple UNC teams both at home and on the road.
UNC Men's Soccer Earns Draw vs. No. 1 Stanford in Chapel Hill
Goals from UNC’s Ryan Zellefrow and Luca Nikolai helped the Tar Heels play to a 2-2 draw against No. 1 Stanford at Dorrance Field Friday night. Zellefrow’s goal in the 13th minute was Carolina’s first shot of the night. It came against the run of play, as Stanford had manufactured the first two chances of […]
UNC Soccer: Women Win at Arizona State, Men Draw at Cal
Both the UNC men’s and women’s soccer teams were playing out west Sunday. The women used a penalty kick goal to beat Arizona State 1-0 in Tempe, while the men battled to a 2-2 draw against Cal in Berkeley. On the women’s side, the Tar Heels and Sun Devils combined for just seven total shots […]
UNC Men's Soccer Defeats VCU for First Win of 2026 Season
An early goal from Nick Lockermann was all UNC needed to secure a 1-0 victory against VCU at Dorrance Field Friday night. It was Carolina’s first win and clean sheet of the season. Carolina Victory 🙌 The Heels kept a clean sheet and Nick Lockermann’s first-half blast gives UNC its first win of the young […]
UNC Men's Soccer Falls Behind Early, Loses at Memphis
UNC allowed two goals in a span of less than two minutes in the first half at Memphis Monday night, and the Tar Heels couldn’t recover from that early deficit in a 3-2 loss to the Tigers. Memphis’ Eben McIntyre scored the match’s opening goal in the 13th minute on the first shot of the […]
The UNC Men's Soccer Coach Envisions a 2-Semester Season. Could it Work?
UNC men’s soccer head coach Carlos Somoano recently told 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck about one of his pipe dreams: a plan to move college soccer from a one-semester to a two-semester schedule, spreading out the schedule across the fall and spring. Somoano called the proposal a “passion project,” one which has been on […]
'Trial By Fire': UNC Men's Soccer Coach Previews 2026 Season, Discusses Rule Changes
UNC men’s soccer head coach Carlos Somoano joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck Thursday, Aug. 6 for a wide-ranging conversation. Somoano, who is entering his 16th season as head coach at Carolina and who earlier this year agreed to a three-year contract extension, shared his excitement for the Tar Heels’ 2026 season and also discussed […]
›