Tarheels advanced to Round of 8

The UNC Tarheel's men have advanced to the NCAA Round of 8 with a 2-1 win over UVa in Chapel Hill today. I thought this was one of the best games I've seen UNC play all year, and one of the worst officiated games I've seen as well (and as a ref myself, I rarely complain about the officiating). Carolina dominated the first half in midfield and most of the play was down at the UVa end. Virginia came out strong for the first 15 minutes of the second half but when Hunter scored two in rapid succession, it really took all the wind out of their sails. The ref did a horrible job all day, especially letting UVa players get away with all kinds of stuff (kicking balls away to slow the restart, not giving 10 yards, creeping up after the wall was set, rabbit punches, etc.). I really thought he was letting the game get out of control when all of a sudden Hunter got pissed, got a yellow card for a very sharp challenge on one of the worst UVa offenders (Murphy, I believe), and then scored two quick goals. He had Jonathan chanting "Don't Mess with an Englishman!" With the ball about 25 yards from goal, Carolina tried to setup for a free kick but UVa refused to give 10 yards. It must have taken the ref 90 seconds to get the wall set. Then when McCarty tried to hit one over the wall, the UVa wall, which had crept up about 4 yards from where it was set, handled just outside the area (If they'd really been 10 yards, it would have been a penalty!). We went through the whole wall setting ordeal again and then Hunter ripped a shot low around the wall into the net. Just a couple of minutes later, Corey Ashe had the ball all alone against 4 backs for UVa. I remember yelling at the Tarheels to come forward and help because "Corey can't beat them all by himself!" Of course, I was wrong. Corey held possession expertly, finally getting around the right back and cut a nice ball back for Hunter who was steaming into the area from the opposite side. Although he scuffed his shot a bit on the wet turf, the UVa keeper couldn't get his hands behind it to stop it. After that, it was UVa throwing everything forward looking for goals. Justin Hughes had to make a few outstanding saves...I thought he was really impressive. The goal he did finally give up was the result of him doing punching a ball from a cross but it didn't go far enough away and after a mad scramble in the area Reyering somehow nodded a weak ball into the net. I didn't take my camera out because of the rain but Andy Mead was there and grabbed these photos. The Tar Heels (17-3-3) advance to host Southern Methodist at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 with a trip to the College Cup at Cary's SAS Soccer Park on the line. Tickets for Saturday's contest cost $10 for adults and $4 for students.

-- Jarrett @ 11/27/2005 04:21:00 PM