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10/28/2008 - MEN'S SOCCER
Unlucky No.7: Camels Upset Nationally-Ranked Tar Heels
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Courtesy Bennett Scarborough
BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Richard Jata scored the game-winning goal in his fifth-straight match, Aaron Johnson registered his fourth-consecutive shutout and Campbell defeated seventh-ranked North Carolina 2-0 Tuesday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.
The Camels knocked off the Tar Heels for the third-straight year and in the process extended their win streak to nine matches. The Camels also improved to 7-0-0 at home this year and have not lost since a 3-2 setback Sept. 23 at William & Mary.
Vince Petrasso added his fifth strike of the season for Campbell (11-5-0), which entered the game ranked sixth in this week’s NSCAA South Region poll. North Carolina (11-4-1) lost consecutive games for the first time this season, including a 3-2 overtime defeat last Saturday at Clemson.
Johnson, who has not allowed a goal in more than 390 minutes, had three saves – including two spectacular stops in the second half. He was also helped by right back Austin Skakle, who cleared a ball off the line. Johnson, who was named A-Sun defensive player of the week Monday for the third time this year, moved into second place on the Atlantic Sun Conference career record books with his 19th solo shutout.
“North Carolina is an excellent team and I have huge respect for the way they play,” said Camel head coach Doug Hess, whose team improved to 4-8 against nationally-ranked opponents under his watch. “That being said, I feel like our team was committed to the way we had to play tonight on both sides of the ball. We made the opportunities we had count, and collectively kept it out of our goal.”
UNC finished with a12-5 edge in shots and a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. However, both of Campbell’s attempts on target hit the net.
The Tar Heels appeared to take the lead in the 24th minute when Michael Callahan’s corner kick was cleared to the top of the area, where Dustin McCarty’s low driving shot found the right side of Johnson’s net. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
Campbell nearly equalized in the 38th minute when Pat Danford poked the ball behind the UNC back line to Stephen Oyuga after a free kick, but the senior defender missed wide on a left-footed attempt in the box.
