Oct. 28, 2008
Box Score
BUIES CREEK, N.C. -
In its final non-conference tilt of the season, No. 7 North Carolina suffered its first loss outside of the Atlantic Coast Conference - a 2-0 defeat at Campbell - Tuesday at Eakes Athletic Complex. The Camels (11-5-0) registered their ninth straight win and have clipped the Tar Heels (11-4-1) in each of the last three seasons.
Richard Jata and Vince Petrasso provided the only offense of the night with Campbell goals in the 39th and 56th minutes, respectively.
Carolina, which has dropped back-to-back matches for the first time this season, controlled possession for much of the night, posting a 12-5 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. But thanks to Jata and Petrasso, the Camels converted two of their five shots to claim the victory.
On just the second Campbell shot of the night, Jata notched his sixth goal with an unassisted strike at 38:23. He stole the ball from the Tar Heels and scored from 28 yards out for a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Petrasso doubled that lead early in the second half with his fifth goal on a right-footed chip past UNC keeper Jacob Wescoe at 55:34 for a two-goal cushion that the Tar Heels could not overcome.
Carolina managed six of its 12 shots after Petrasso's goal, but could not find the back of the net. Eddie Ababio nearly scored in the 69th minute but was thwarted by a Campbell back save. Aaron Johnson made three additional saves in net to earn the shutout for the Camels.
The Tar Heels close the regular season against a pair of top-five ACC opponents - No. 1 Wake Forest Saturday in Chapel Hill and at No. 4 Maryland Nov. 7. The Tar Heels will honor their senior class Saturday prior to the home finale against the Demon Deacons at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field.
