The UNC men’s soccer team is returning to the NCAA College Cup–soccer’s version of the Final Four–for the second straight year after a 2-1 victory on Saturday over the Fordham Rams at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

Seniors Zach Wright and Alan Winn each scored in the second half for the Tar Heels, who have now reached the College Cup six times over the last ten seasons–more than any other program during that time frame.

Wright opened scoring for UNC (17-3-1) in the 60th minute when he blasted home a cross from teammate Jack Skahan, but Fordham (14-6-3) responded less than two minutes later with the equalizer when a free kick from Jannik Loebe deflected off a Tar Heel defender and snuck past goalkeeper James Pyle.

As the aggression picked up late in the game, Wright made his presence known again in the 80th minute. He received a pass from midfielder Cam Lindley, dribbled past his defender and then crossed the ball into Winn–who headed in his team-leading 11th goal of the season.

The play that created the game-winner also gave Lindley his 13th assist of the year, the most by a UNC player since Matt Crawford tallied 16 back in 2002.

Up Next:

UNC will continue its pursuit of a national championship with an NCAA Semifinal match against Indiana on Friday, Dec. 8 at Talon Energy Stadium in Philadelphia.

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)

 

 

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