Mens Soccer Blanks William & Mary, 3-0, After Quick Start

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. The University of North Carolina men’s soccer team scored quickly and did not look back in its nonconference finale, securing a 3-0 win over William & Mary on Tuesday evening at Albert-Daly Field in Williamsburg, Va., behind goals from three different players .

Following the victory, the Tar Heels improve to 7-4-4 (2-2-3) on the year while the Tribe drops to 4-6-6 (2-3-3). UNC’s three goals were the most in a single contest since besting Notre Dame, 3-1, nearly a year ago to the day on Oct. 29, 2021.

Carolina controlled the pace of the game from the first whistle, jumping out to an early lead in the fourth minute for its fastest start of the season. Holding off a defender, Cameron Fisher’s pass found Tim Schels who sent a cross through traffic to Sam Williams on the left side. Williams then tapped it into the lower left for the second goal of his freshman campaign.

The Tar Heels then doubled their lead five minutes later Ernest Bawa netted his second goal of the season. A pass from Schels slipped between a pair of Tribe Defenders to connect with Bawa whose Strike from 35 yards out landed in the upper left corner.

Yaya Bakayoko and Key White connected just four minutes after subbing into the match to extend the Tar Heels’ lead to 3-0, which would ultimately stand as the final score. White sent a cross into the box where Bakayoko finished off a volley into the bottom right corner for the first goal of his career in the 37th minute.

Marco Saborio-Perez was brilliant between the posts to earn the second shutout of his career. He recorded three saves during the contest, highlighted by a clutch penalty kick stop in the 66th minute.

UNC held a 9-6 advantage in shots after 90 minutes of play, including five on target with Fisher leading the way with two. Although the Tribe pushed to chip away at their deficit, the Tar Heels’ back line held strong as the team picked up its sixth shutout of the year.

Returning home for the first time in nearly three weeks, Carolina hosts Virginia for a big Atlantic Coast Conference Clash Friday night at Dorrance Field. Kickoff for the regular season finale is set for 7 pm ET with Senior Day Celebrations being held prior to the start of the match.

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