CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The American University men's soccer team kept North Carolina off the board for 72 minutes on Tuesday night, but a penalty against the Eagles put the game in the Tar Heels' favor. Despite a quality defensive effort to limit the UNC, AU eventually fell 2-0.
Notable
- Evan Tubbs made five saves for the second straight match, facing seven shots on goal. He now has 29 saves on the season.
- The Eagles defended well in the first half, allowing 10 shots but just one on goal, limiting a Tar Heel attack that's scored 10 goals in six games.
- After the penalty, the decisive goal to separate UNC further came in the 86th minute.
- AU is now 1-4-2 overall and 1-0 in Patriot League play.
How it Happened
- The majority of the first 45 was played in AU's half, but the Eagles did well to keep the Tar Heels out of dangerous scoring areas and made them work hard to create.
- Riley Berge found the back of the net for UNC in the 25th minute, but the goal was disallowed after AU challenged and video review ruled him offside.
- The Eagles settled down after nearly conceding, keeping a clean sheet until the break.
- One of AU's best attacking moments came just a minute into the second half, when Henrick Boahen played a clever back heel pass to Massimo Meneses in space, but his shot was blocked.
- In the 72nd minute, UNC played a cross into the box that took a deflection and trickled toward the byline.
- In a foot race for the ball, Tubbs sprung off his and slid to try to keep Berge from getting the ball. No penalty was called on the field, but UNC challenged and a PK was given after review.
- Luca Nikolai converted the penalty to give the Tar Heels the lead.
- 14 minutes later with AU's defense opened up, Joschi Schelb scored in transition to put the home side up 2-0.
Up Next
- The Eagles are back at home this Saturday, Sept. 19 to face Loyola Maryland in Patriot League play. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Keep Up With Us
- For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
