SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame fell in the first round of the ACC Tournament, dropping a 3-1 loss to UNC on Wednesday evening at Alumni Stadium.
The Irish now await their fate when the NCAA Tournament field is announced on Monday, Nov. 17.
Senior center back Mitch Ferguson scored the Fighting Irish goal, marking his fifth of the season, which puts him into a tie for the team lead with Wyatt Borso.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish created the first attempt of the night, as KK Baffour got a shot off in the box but it was blocked away by a Tar Heel defender to keep the match scoreless.
The visitors managed to score the opener in the 21st minute off a strike from Nacho Abeal to give UNC a 1-0 advantage.
Notre Dame nearly leveled the match 13 minutes later, as Baffour took a touch to create space on his right foot and fired a shot on frame but right at the North Carolina keeper who made a diving save.
The Tar Heels doubled their lead in the 36th minute off a goal from Charlie Antonelius to put them on top 2-0 heading into the halftime break.
The Irish tried to push forward in the second half but couldn’t find the final ball to break down the Tar Heel defense.
In the 70th minute North Carolina added a third goal off a header from Dan Klink to push the lead to three goals.
Notre Dame was able to pull a goal back in the 84th minute off a set piece, as Sebastian Green’s free kick was headed home by Ferguson at the back post to trim the lead to 3-1.
The Irish threw numbers forward in the final minutes of play, trying to cut further into the lead but were unable to get any closer, falling by a final score of 3-1.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“It was one where so much of the game I thought we were good. Credit to UNC, we knew it would be a good game. In the first half we had a couple of turnovers that they transitioned really well on and put their two shots into the net. I think we had some good looks and quality attacks but we couldn’t get the breakthrough in the first half.
“Then in the second half we were pushing but not creating a ton to start but we were getting our way into it. But then I think the dagger was the well-executed set-piece goal by UNC, which made it a tough hole to climb out of.
“Credit to the team, I love this group and I love these guys, they kept going and it was nice to get one back. I’m so proud of the way they battled tonight and it shows their character and how committed they are to the team and to Notre Dame.”
UP NEXT
The Irish now await their fate when the NCAA Tournament field is announced on Monday, Nov. 17.
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