Males’s Soccer Secures First Ranked Win Since 2021

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The UAB males’s soccer staff pulled off a press release win on Wednesday evening, taking down No. 17 North Carolina 2-1 at Dorrance Field. It was the Blazers’ first victory over a ranked opponent since 2021, after they defeated No. 18 Kentucky.

North Carolina appeared in management early, hanging first within the ninth minute when Nacho Abeal completed a well-worked sequence assisted by Bertil Rygaard Hansen and Luca Nikolai. Despite the early setback, UAB regrouped defensively and progressively started to seek out rhythm on the counterattack.

The Blazers’ persistence paid off late within the first half when freshman ahead Patrik Fagan offered the equalizer within the forty second minute. After a scramble within the field, Fagan pounced on a deflection and fired house his second objective of the season, leveling the match at 1-1 heading into halftime.

Early within the second half, UAB’s stress struck once more, this time within the type of a North Carolina personal objective within the 54th minute. A harmful ball whipped into the world pressured a Tar Heel defender into an errant contact that slipped previous the keeper to offer UAB a 2-1 lead.

From there, the Blazers leaned on a resilient again line and an impressive effort from goalkeeper Francisco Ranieri, who made 10 saves to anchor the protection. The senior repeatedly denied the Tar Heels, together with a number of point-blank efforts within the remaining quarter-hour.

Despite being outshot and holding simply 37% possession, UAB’s defensive group and composure underneath stress proved decisive. Ole Jessen, Frederik Danslet, and Carson Brice helped marshal a disciplined again line that restricted clear possibilities and cleared a flurry of late crosses.

The win marks UAB’s first ranked victory since 2021 and serves as a serious confidence enhance for a younger squad discovering its stride late within the season.

UAB improves to 4-7-1 total, whereas North Carolina falls to 7-2-4. The Blazers return to convention play subsequent week at No. 20 FAU on Oct. 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Boca Raton.