Joe Pickering scored early in the first half for UNC on Thursday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a goal that provided the difference in a 1-0 NCAA Tournament victory over Stanford.

Pickering scored his first goal of the year on a header in the 13th minute assisted by Milo Garvanian. That would go on to be the only shot on target by either side in what was largely a defensive battle.

With the win, UNC (9-4-3) advances to the Elite Eight for the ninth time since 2008–the most appearances by any school over that same time span.

Stanford (10-3-1) came into the night with a high-powered offense averaging more than two goals per game, but it was UNC goalie Alec Smir who got the last laugh on the way to his 10th shutout of the season.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will remain in Cary to face No. 5 seed Wake Forest for an all-ACC quarterfinal matchup on Monday at 5 p.m.

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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
‹
Tar Heels Receive No. 5 Overall Seed in NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament
The field for this year’s NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament was revealed Monday afternoon, with UNC receiving the No. 5 overall seed just one day after coming up short against Louisville in the ACC Tournament Final. It marks the eighth time in the last 10 years that the Tar Heels have received one of the top […]
UNC Blanks SMU to Reach NCAA Men's Soccer Elite Eight
For the eighth time in the last 10 years, the UNC men’s soccer team will be heading to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels used a pair of second-half goals to defeat SMU 2-0 in Saturday night’s Third Round match at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Jack Skahan opened the scoring […]
UNC Awarded No. 3 Overall Seed for NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament
The bracket for the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament was released on Monday, with UNC earning the No. 3 overall seed after a fantastic regular season which saw the Tar Heels win the ACC Coastal Division. By virtue of being one of the top 16 seeds, UNC also earns a first round bye–meaning it won’t play […]
UNC Men's Soccer Shuts Out Syracuse, Earns Spot in the Elite Eight
Throughout the 2016 season, no team in America allowed less goals than the UNC men’s soccer team. Although the No. 9 Tar Heels gave up two scores against Florida Gulf Coast–which boasts the nation’s top scoring offense–in their NCAA Tournament opener last weekend, head coach Carlos Somoano’s team returned to form on Sunday. UNC defeated […]
NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament: No. 9 Tar Heels Earn First Round Bye
The bracket for the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament was released Monday afternoon with the Tar Heels earning the No. 9 overall seed. As one of 16 schools to be seeded, UNC will receive a first round bye in the 36-team tournament. So far this season, UNC has compiled an 11-3-3 record while outscoring its opponents […]
Missed Opportunities Loom Large as Marshall Tops UNC in Men's College Cup Semifinals
Despite allowing just one shot Friday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, the UNC men’s soccer team fell in the NCAA College Cup Semifinals to Marshall by a score of 1-0. The Tar Heels (9-5-4) racked up 11 shots in the match–with five ending up on target–but were unable to make the most of […]
Men's Soccer: Giovanni Montesdeoca Earns Third Team All-American Honors
UNC senior forward Giovanni Montesdeoca was chosen as a Third Team All-American on Thursday by the United Soccer Coaches. Montesdeoca led the Tar Heels with five goals across the team’s 16 games, while also adding a pair of assists. This is the first time he has earned All-American status in his career. UNC has gone […]
Somoano: Pandemic Scheduling Helped UNC Find Its Way to the College Cup
With the UNC men’s soccer program set for its first College Cup game since 2017 on Friday against Marshall, head coach Carlos Somoano spoke with reporters earlier this week and shared what the ride has been for the Tar Heels this season. Collegiate soccer is typically just a fall sport. But due to the COVID-19 […]
UNC Men's Soccer Punches Ticket to NCAA College Cup With Quarterfinal Victory Over No. 5 Wake Forest
A second-half goal from Santiago Herrera proved to be the difference Monday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, as the UNC men’s soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Wake Forest in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The win gives the Tar Heels (9-4-4) their ninth College Cup appearance and first since 2017. […]
NCAA Men's Soccer Tourney: UNC Moves Past Stanford Into Elite Eight
Joe Pickering scored early in the first half for UNC on Thursday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, a goal that provided the difference in a 1-0 NCAA Tournament victory over Stanford. Pickering scored his first goal of the year on a header in the 13th minute assisted by Milo Garvanian. That would go […]
›