ETSU 1, No. 1 North Carolina 0 (OT)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Fletcher Ekern’s golden goal in the 92nd minute helped guide ETSU men’s soccer to its biggest win in program history, as the Buccaneers defeated the top-ranked North Carolina, 1-0, in overtime on Tuesday at Fetzer Field.
Ekern – who recorded his first goal of the season and first collegiate game-winning goal – pushed the Bucs over .500 as ETSU improved to 3-2 on the campaign, while the Tar Heels suffered their first setback and fell to 4-1. The win marked the first time in program history the Bucs have defeated a top-ranked team in the country, while ETSU has knocked off a ranked opponent six times in the last six years. The highest-ranked team the Bucs previously defeated was in 2013 when the Blue and Gold beat No. 8 UAB, 1-0, in Birmingham, Ala.
Despite being out-shot, 16-8, the Bucs’ defense kept battling and sophomore goalkeeper Jonny Sutherland made three outstanding saves to register his seventh career shutout.
From first touch in overtime, UNC maintained most of the possession, but after a clearance by ETSU, the Bucs worked up the field, connecting passes and putting pressure on the Tar Heels.
Working up the right side, sophomore midfielder Cameron Woodfin flicked the ball to Ekern inside the box. With a man on his right, Ekern tapped the ball past James Pyle – the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Week – for the golden goal.
Woodfin’s assist was his second of the season.
ETSU had chances early to get on the board in the 16th and 27th minutes. Mitchell Cecatiello took two shots off counterattacks. His first shot was saved by Pyle and the second attempt sailed over the cross bar.
Going into halftime, ETSU found itself in the game despite being outshot 8-3 (2-1 on goal).
After intermission, the Bucs had another scoring opportunity when Serge Gomis drew a foul and took the free kick just a yard outside of the UNC box in the 72nd minute. The shot narrowly missed the frame to keep the score level.
North Carolina pressured ETSU’s backline the entire night, but center backs Chase Clack and Joe Pickering stopped every UNC scoring chance. The outside backs for ETSU – Ben Holt, Warren Austin and Charles Blankenship – defended well by keeping UNC’s possessions wide throughout the match.
The Buccaneers’ next match will be at home versus UNC Asheville on Sunday, Sept. 18. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Summers-Taylor Stadium.
No. 18 Furman 4, Gardner-Webb 3
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Furman men’s soccer netted four straight goals in the second half to overcome a 2-0 deficit as the 18th-ranked Paladins downed Gardner-Webb, 4-3, on Tuesday night.
With the victory, Furman improved to 4-1-1 on the season, while the Bulldogs slipped to 1-4-0.
Gardner-Webb stunned the Paladins with a pair of goals less than three minutes apart in the first half. Simen Olsen opened the scoring on a header at 18:11 and Marvin Mendy doubled the Gardner-Webb lead with his second goal of the year on 21 minutes.
Senior Lewis Hawke ignited the Furman comeback in the 62nd minute when he finished low to corner after getting onto the end of a Josiah Baker free kick. Conor Sloan equalized for the Paladins at 63:06 with his first collegiate goal. Hawke put a header on goal and Sloan poked in the rebound from inside the box.
Furman grabbed the 3-2 lead at 73:47 when Evan De Ycaza touched a Rocky Guerra cross into the path of Connor Hubbard, who tallied his first goal. The Paladins increased the margin to 4-2 in the 87th minute on De Ycaza found the back of the net on assists from Dylan Rowe and Baker.
The fourth goal was crucial as Severin Soerlie scored for the Bulldogs with two seconds remaining for the final scoreline.
Jonathan Smith earned the victory in goal for Furman. The Paladins and Bulldogs tallied 11 shots apiece, while Furman posted a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.
Furman returns to action next Tuesday when it hosts the South Carolina Gamecocks at Stone Stadium.