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 in the 50th minute when his low cross intended for Alan Winn ended up missing Winn’s head and snuck into the back of the net.

SMU picked up its aggressiveness late in the match, but wasn’t able to muster its first shot until the 70th minute.

Having held tight defensively for most of the evening, UNC put the icing on the cake shortly after Jelani Pieters subbed in off the bench.

Pieters entered the game in the 81st minute and promptly scored less than a minute later–when he took a pass from Cam Lindley and dribbled past a horde of defenders before ultimately slotting the ball into the goal.

From there it was smooth sailing, as UNC cruised to the final whistle and the victory.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals, where it will play the winner of Fordham and No. 6 Duke.

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)

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