Jelani Pieters’ goal in the 80th minute on Friday night in provided the third-ranked UNC men’s soccer team with a 1-0 win over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

It was the season-opener for both teams, who played the match at Bryan Park in Greensboro as the Tar Heels continue to wait for their new on-campus stadium to finish undergoing construction.

As each side struggled to break the stalemate for most of the match, a perfectly timed cross from preseason All-American Mauricio Pineda found the head of Pieters and was ultimately redirected into the back of the net for what turned out to be the game-winner.

UNC ended the night with 10 shots compared to just seven for ETSU, while goalie James Pyle recorded his first shutout of the young season.

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The Tar Heels will now get ready to face No. 2 Indiana on Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a top-five showdown that also serves as a rematch of last year’s NCAA College Cup Semifinal–which was won by the Hoosiers. That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)

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