No. 21 Soccer ties No. 4 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 1-1 (2OT)

Wednesday, August 22

Chapel Hill, N.C.

4 p.m. CT

University of Texas

1-0-1

#4 North Carolina

2-0-1

OT 3

OT 4

Texas

North Carolina

No. 21 Soccer ties No. 4 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 1-1 (2OT)

08.22.2018 | Soccer

Box Score

Junior forward Cyera Hintzen boosted the Longhorns in front on a second-minute goal

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On a humid and rainy Wednesday evening at Finley South Field, a second-minute goal from junior forward Cyera Hintzen and a dogged defensive effort, including a key penalty kick stop from junior goalkeeper Nicole Curry, helped lead No. 21 Texas soccer (1-0-1) to a 1-1 (2OT) draw at No. 4 North Carolina (2-0-1).

Curry was outstanding between the pipes for the Longhorns, making four vital saves, while Hintzen scored her second goal of the season just 1:10 into the contest to grant UT an early lead.

The Tarheels out-shot the Burnt Orange & White 20-9 overall and 6-5 in shots on goal, but Texas registered a 4-3 combined shot advantage during the two overtime periods.

It took just 1:10 for the Longhorns to make their presence felt in the contest as a defensive turnover in UNC's end set things in motion for a quick UT score. Hintzen pounced on the miscue, dribbled past a defender into the top of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot past keeper Samantha Leshnak for a stunning, 1-0 Texas advantage.

Following the goal, North Carolina settled in offensively, controlling the majority of possession over the next few minutes without being able to register a shot.

It wasn't until the 13:28 mark that the Tarheels recorded their initial shot attempt, but when they did, forward Taylor Otto fired a drive from 13 yards out that forced Curry to dive and steer the ball outside the left post.

With UNC controlling possession, the Longhorns were whistled for a foul inside the 18-yard box at 23:41 as the head official pointed to the spot. Midfielder Dorian Bailey stepped up for the 'Heels and drove a shot towards the left post. Curry dove fully extended and managed to deflect the PK off the woodwork. The rebound popped straight back out to Bailey, but her follow-up effort down the middle of frame was smothered by a hustling Curry to maintain UT's one-goal lead.

Just 1:09 out of the halftime break, a quick run up the right wing resulted in a North Carolina cross into the 18. Forward Brianna Pinto raced up the middle into clear space near the top of the six but her chipped effort went wide of frame.

After threatening repeatedly, UNC's offense finally broke through at the 52:16 mark as a quick one-two play inside the left edge of the 18 resulted in a 12-yard goal from forward Taylor Otto to tie the contest at 1-1.

The Tarheels were at it again just 58 seconds later as Bailey hit a shot from 17 yards out in the middle of the pitch that rattled off the upper left corner of the woodwork.

Curry delivered again for the Horns during the 61st minute as the Dallas, Texas, native tipped a Brianna Pinto header up and over the bar.

Texas' offense began finding more of the ball around the 70th minute. A strong run up the left wing and a cross located junior midfielder Katie Glenn in some space at the right post. Unfortunately, the Round Rock, Texas, native mis-hit her shot as the ball rolled wide right of frame.

At the 70:56 mark, North Carolina had an opportunity to take the lead as Mary Elliott McCabe broke through a pair of defenders up the right side of the 18. With UT's defense scrambling to recover, Curry covered the right post while also cutting down the angle as McCabe eventually shot wide right from eight yards out.

The Longhorns earned a corner during the 85th minute with junior defender Emma Jett delivering the ball from the right side. Her feed was headed straight out by UNC, but it dropped right to sophomore forward Haley Berg. The Celina, Texas, product tried a quick volley but popped up her shot as substitute goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made a catch in a crowd.

Off a Tarheel corner at 86:29, UT freshman defender Emma Regan saved the match for the Longhorns. With the Vancouver, British Columbia, product stationed at the right post, she managed to deflect UNC defender Julia Ashley's header off the line before clearing the ball up field and away from danger.

With good early pressure from Texas during the first overtime period, the Longhorns nearly ended the match at 93:27. Redshirt sophomore forward Cydney Billups made a strong run up the left wing before feeding a pass into the middle. A tightly-marked Hintzen ran on to the ball and shot quickly, but her 15-yard effort rattled off the crossbar. A follow-up try by Berg from 17 yards out was blocked away by the 'Heel defense.

Freshman midfielder Julia Grosso made her presence felt for the Horns early in the second OT, forcing a save before being fouled just a step outside the top of the 18. Hintzen stood over the ball with another chance to end things, but her free kick traveled a couple of feet over the crossbar.