A pair of second-half goals on Sunday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary helped the UNC men’s soccer team avenge one of its only three losses during the regular season.

Jelani Pieters and Mauricio Pineda each scored for head coach Carlos Somoano, as the Tar Heels defeated the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks by a score of 2-1 in the NCAA Tournament Second Round to advance to the Sweet 16.

Pieters opened up scoring in the 53rd minute when he made a run to the near post, received a pinpoint pass from teammate Zach Wright and then beat the goalkeeper.

Just over four minutes later, Pineda took a pass from Alan Winn outside the box and rocketed a shot from 25 yards out into the upper corner of the goal.

This gave the Tar Heels (15-3-1) all the cushion they would need to hang on, as UNC-Wilmington (12-8-0) couldn’t quite erase the deficit down the stretch.

Julio Moncada scored in the 74th minute after a successful set piece by the Seahawks, but UNC was able to prevent any other damage from happening before the final whistle.

Up Next:

UNC is now set to face-off against the SMU Mustangs at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. The game will mark the Tar Heels’ ninth Sweet 16 appearance in the last 10 seasons.

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)

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