Unbeaten Tar Heels Working Overtime

The UNC Tar Heels have been living dangerously thus far in the 2013 season, but are still unbeaten and ranked #1 in the national NSCAA Division I men’s soccer poll.

For just the second time in program history, Carolina has played in four-consecutive overtime matches. Last time out was a 0-0 draw with Virginia Tech.

The last time the Tars Heels went into overtime four games in a row was back in 1979.

Next up for Coach Carlos Somoano’s club is William & Mary, which ironically has also played four consecutive overtime games.

[show_disconnected][show_to accesslevel=’Subscriber’] The Tar Heels take a 3-0-3 record into that game. Goalkeeper Brendan Moore, a junior from Atlanta, has posted four shutouts, and has a streak of 275 minutes going.

Junior Tyler Engel, a transfer from Southern Methodist, has made an impression. He scored in his first three games, including the game-winner in the season opener against Monmouth. He ready has two game-winners.

Engel played two seasons at SMU where he had a total of 12 goals. Eight of those were scored last season.

The Tar Heels have tied three ACC games to date. Earlier in the season they played Maryland to a 2-2 draw, and also tied Notre Dame 1-1 before drawing with the Hokies.

After the draw with Virginia Tech Engel spoke with The Daily Tar Heel, the school newspaper, and spoke about the opportunities they did not finish to get a goal.

“We played a lot better this game than we have been playing in the past,” said Engel. “We are playing more side to side, we are swinging the ball left to right, gettng everybody involved.

“We are creating chances, we’re just not converting and that’s what we need to be working on.”

While the Tar Heels were trying to get a goal, the defense was solid in holding the Hokies without a score.

“I mean they are tremendous,” said Moore, about the Tar Heel defenders who kept Tech’s offense at bay and keyed the shutout.

“A lot of teams try and loft the ball over the back line and try to get in behind us. The guys in the back have done a great job of keeping the ball in front of them.

“Not letting guys slip through behind them to get a one-on-one with me.”

However, not scoring puts more pressure of the defense, and that means pressure on the goalkeeper.

It definitely puts some pressure on us,” Moore said. “Especially at that point where one goal can win the game, but I just try to stay focused on what needs to be done and that’s keep the ball out of the net.”