UNC pressure turns into pair of second-half goals to take road win 

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 1, 2023) - In front of a strong crowd in ideal conditions, ETSU came out on the front foot, feeding on the energy of the moment of a high-level opponent on its field for the first time in 13 years. In the second half, North Carolina shook off an odd start to the year and became the team they think they can be. 

ETSU fell 2-1 to North Carolina on Friday night in front of 1,127 fans at Summers-Taylor Stadium. The Bucs led at the half thanks to an early goal from Gabriel Ramos (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Relentless pressure from the Tar Heels broke ETSU down for a penalty to level the score in the second half and a blocked clearance effort caromed off a UNC player into the ETSU goal to give the Tar Heels their first lead, and first win, of 2023. 

The Buccaneers (1-2-0) came out without fear and played the Tar Heels (1-0-1) straight up, choosing to fight a possession-heavy team with a possession-heavy game plan of their own. They had the early advantage in shots, and an immaculate ball forward by Sebastian Reventlow-Mourier (Viborg, Denmark) found Ramos in space behind his defender. He shot the ball through the legs of UNC goalkeeper Collin Travasos to put the home side ahead in the 10th minute. The goal was the second of the year for Ramos and the seventh of his career. 

The second half started with an aggressive press from North Carolina that hemmed in the ETSU defense and midfield. UNC found its way through in the 54th minute, when Henrik Guenther (Guetersloh, Germany) was whistled for a penalty mere inches inside the 18-yard box. Quenzi Huerman tucked the ball inside the left post with his left foot to level the score, but the Tar Heels were not done. 

The pressure continued to mount until UNC's press generated the moment that decided the match. As ETSU goalkeeper Cole Hunter (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) went to clear the ball away, David Bercedo turned his body into the path of the ball, and it caromed off his thigh into the goal for a 75th minute lead. 

UNC outshot ETSU 18-5 with eight shots on goal to just two. Individually, Ramos and Tarik Pannholzer (Flensburg, Germany) paced the Bucs with two shots, and Ramos had both ETSU efforts on frame. 

The Bucs will look to get right after consecutive losses when they host USC Upstate on Tuesday. Admission is free at Summers-Taylor Stadium. 

For more information on ETSU men's soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's soccer tab.