According to matchtracker, it's 0-0 five minutes into OT. Also, Ford Williams isn't starting in goal for UNC, the frosh is playing. Is Williams hurt or has he been benched?
Re: Re: State-UNC @ ACCs (r) I don't think so. That roster hasn't been announced and it's my understanding that the players won't report to the 20s till after this weekend's games.
Gonzalez proved you right. He got snubbed by the ACC for individual honors. I am sure he is happier with the team result.
Does this count as a win or a tie for NC State? If it's a win, I think they just moved onto the bubble. Man, if State somehow gets by Maryland, they're goin' to the show. How wild is that?
Re: Re: State-UNC @ ACCs (r) Williams was sitting on the bench - in uniform. Great game if you are a State fan! Defense held up again - posting another shutout.
Unfortunately it counts as a tie giving them a 9-7-2 record. I think even with the tie they should be considered a bubble team. They have played very well during the second part of the season (7-3-2). Two ties against UNC, wins against Virginia, Clemson, and UNC-G among others.
Re: Re: Re: State-UNC @ ACCs (r) Getting benched for the biggest game of the year is not a good sign. Ford only played in 11 games this year and I bet that doesn't help his U20 team chances. I won't be at all surprised if Clint Baumstark, who has a year of MLS training, and one game, under his belt, beats him out.
My thoughts on this match. UNC was the better team, but State was the mentally tougher team. The Pack never flinched when Storey and Ashe and Watson were coming at them. Give credit to State's back line...they were good, and very organized. Same for Gonzalez in goal for State. Aaron King played well, and would have scored the game winner in OT if it wasn't for a nice save by Hughes. It looked to me like UNC was playing not to lose, and they appeared to get frustrated...especially Storey and Watson. Ashe had moments of brilliance, but like most young college players, he dribbles too much and would lose possession. I hate to see games settled by a shootout, but State deserved the win because Harrington and Fumo took really weak shots that Gonzalez had no trouble with.
Also, don't forget that State had a game cancelled against Liberty that was not rescheduled. They've played one less game than the NCAA allows. Liberty was a *sure* win. So with tonight's performance that would make them 11-7-2. Clearly good enough to get them in the show. As to Williams and the U-20s. I'm told that Rongen is taking three keepers. I think Williams is safe there. My guess is that Bolowich was looking past the Pack and wanting to get Hughes some "serious" game experience before the big show. A rather large mistake in judgment. GO PACK!!!!
Now hold on there k1v1n, are you saying that the German Genius could have made a mistake? We all know that's simply not possible!
It could have been a questionable decision, but don't see how you can say it turned out to be a big mistake in judgement, since Hughes didn't let in any goals in regulation or overtime. You can't ask much more from a keeper than that. Anyway, there hasn't really been much difference in UNC's results with Williams vs. with Hughes this year - in fact, I see that Hughes has a significantly better save % than Williams this year. So I wouldn't blame Bolowich for getting Hughes some post-season experience, as well as more time working with the defense. Congrats to State on their win and their much improved season. Carolina end up at 12-3-4, which along with their tough schedule should give them a pretty good seed for the NCAA.
Not a good result for the Heels, but not the end of the world. First things first...it sucks to not go on because of PK's. It's officially a tie, but spot kicks are a necessary evil for ending the misery that was the 0-0 tie. I wasn't at the game, but from all reports it wasn't too pretty. NCSU gets credit for getting the result...something they never would have done before this year. Forget the bubble--put them in the NCAA tournament. Maryland, Wake, UNC, and State. People who have been talking about UVA Forget about it!!-- unless they're able to win the ACC's. If they do, it will put State on the bubble but if not, put the Pack in. They beat UVa head to head and the Wahoos won't even have a winning record. UNC will use the extra days off to get ready for the NCAA...interesting to see how they do there.
[smack]Soccer is just following the lead from football and basketball. NC State is starting to own UNC in most sports.[/smack]
two ties is hardly owning...and Julius Hodge and Co. better watch out for the Heels on the hardcourt this year.