jjohnson@heraldsun.com; 419-6667
CHAPEL HILL -- Stingy defense has been the hallmark for UNC's men's soccer team this season and the Tar Heels earned their 11th shutout of the season with a 1-0 victory over Indiana on Sunday at Fetzer Field in third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Alex Dixon scored for UNC as he settled a ball among several Indiana defenders and shot it underneath Hoosier goalkeeper Luis Soffner at 27:01.
The scoring play ended a lethargic first 20 or so minutes of the game that had both coaches scratching their heads.
"For the first 20 minutes it looked like nobody wanted to play," Indiana coach Michael Freitag.
UNC coach Elmar Bolowich said his team would have to play better in their next game if they want to advance another round.
"This was our most complete performance," Bolowich said. "In order to advance, we'll have to do better. We're going to have to see more competitive fire next week."
The Tar Heels (15-2-3) will host Drake on Friday at 6 p.m. with the winner of that game advancing to College Cup, which will be played in Cary.
Dixon's goal came too early in the game for him to celebrate it as he's done in previous games he said.
"No flipping today," Dixon said. "It was too early in the game and I didn't want to jinx anything. My confidence is back and I'm getting my health back."
But for the Tar Heels' defense, they were confident that a single goal would be enough.
"We know getting the first goal is important because we know we can hold teams scoreless," UNC defenseman Jordan Graye said. "If it is a 50-50 ball, Alex is probably going to get to it. We go into every game thinking the other team isn't going to score. If you don't let them score, you can't lose."
Graye and Cameron Browne picked up assists on the goal by Dixon.
UNC goalkeeper Brooks Haggerty made four saves in earning his second straight NCAA Tournament shutout. A year ago he registered three shutouts in the tournament.
Indiana's best chance to tie the game came just before halftime as the Hoosiers got the ball into the box but were unable to get off a clean shot.
"We knew it was going to be tough because they're a team that doesn't give things away," Freitag said. "I was disappointed that we didn't score at the end of the first half. I think we played well. I thought it was going to be harder to play against them but they just don't give up a lot."
North Carolina didn't sit on their lead in the second half and continued to attack, which is exactly what Bolowich wanted from his squad.
He said he knew they would be opportunities for the Hoosiers but he didn't want his team to just sit back and play defense.
"There is no reason for any team to give up," Bolowich said.
"We played our game. You want to establish dominance but that's a lot to ask in a 90-minute game."
The Tar Heels outshot Indiana 15-8 and had a 13-2 advantage in corner kicks.
