CHAPEL HILL, NC -- Mike Gell scored 4:12 into the first overtime period off an assist from David Testo as the University of North Carolina men's defeated American University, 1-0, in overtime of the NCAA Tournament third round game at Fetzer Field on Sunday afternoon.
The loss ended the Eagles' magical run through the NCAA Tournament, and they conclude the 2001 campaign with a 13-8-2 record.
At the 70:19 mark, Carolina had its best scoring opportunity of regulation. After a hand ball by American's Bob Brennan in the box, Gell's penalty kick was saved by AU keeper Michael Behonick. Gell also just missed two shots in the first half from point-blank range. The first shot was knocked away by a defender and his second shot was saved by Behonick.
"I can't believe we lost," commented American head coach Todd West. "I thought when Michael Behonick saved the penalty that it was going to be our game."
"[The goal] meant a lot to me, but it meant a lot more to the team,* Gell said after the game. "We wanted to win this one for our seniors. We didn*t want to go out [of the tournament] at home. I missed on a couple of opportunities earlier in the game and wanted to redeem myself."
Carolina out-shot the Eagles by a margin of 16-5 but were held scoreless for all 90 minutes of regulation. Behonick finished with nine saves on the day for the Eagles. Michael Ueltschey posted the shutout in goal for Carolina. He now has 12.6 shutouts this season and 29.1 for his career, both of which are school records.
"American is a very good team," UNC head coach Elmar Bolowich said in the postgame press conference. "They came out strong in both of their earlier wins in the Tournament and they did that again today. It was a close game that could have gone either way in overtime."
The shutout was Carolina's 13th as a team this season, breaking the school record of 12 set in 1980. The entire Carolina defense, including Ueltschey, Chris Leitch, David Stokes and Danny Jackson, played stellar soccer throughout the game.
Grant Porter left the game with a strained groin at the 25:53 mark and did not return. His status for next weekend is to be determined.
Carolina advances to next weekend's quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament to face Fairleigh Dickinson, which won at Seton Hall, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon. Next weekend's quarterfinal game will be played on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill.
Scoring:
1. UNC - Mike Gell (David Testo), 94:18.
Goalie Stats: Michael Behonick (American) 9 saves, 1 goal allowed; Michael Ueltschey (UNC) 2 saves, 0 goals allowed
Shots: American 5, UNC 16
Attendance: 905
Score by Halves
Team 1 2 OT - Final
American 0 0 0 - 0
UNC 0 0 1 - 1
