Syracuse 0, North Carolina 0: Orange, Tar Heels play to draw

The Syracuse Orange and North Carolina are two of the ACC’s best men’s soccer programs right now. They certainly played like it in Friday night’s 0-0 draw at SU Soccer Stadium.

Depending on which metrics you’re using, either Syracuse or North Carolina was the higher-ranked squad coming in. Both teams collected their first draw and a result that’s unlikely to shift their respective standing much. SU is now 8-1-1 while UNC is 7-1-1.

Chris Nanco was the Orange’s most aggressive player throughout the evening, taking six shots (and one on goal). Liam Callahan, Johannes Pieles and Louis Cross also had shots on the night. Goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert collected the shutout for the Orange, the 12th of his career (sixth on the all-time list for the program).

Syracuse had several opportunities late in this one, including two separate Nanco scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of regulation. North Carolina also earned a very late (88th minute) corner but couldn’t connect as the game went to extra time.

The Orange had four corners in extra time, two in each session, but also failed to convert on those opportunities. The final scoring chance was had with just 10 seconds remaining in the second extra session.

SU coach Ian McIntyre is now focused on the greater challenge of the season, as he told Cuse.com:

"The next step for us is to get a win against one of these national title challengers. I thought we bounced back (from the Notre Dame game). I think we were a little bit unfortunate not to come away from South Bend without at least a point. Two points out of the two games would have been a fair reflection of the effort we put in. This was a hard-fought game between two good college teams."

Syracuse’s next game is at Albany on Tuesday, October 4 at 7 p.m. They also play at Louisville next Friday, October 7.