CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Syracuse women’s soccer team allowed a goal off a free kick for the only tally of the game in a 1-0 setback against No. 4 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Orange goes to 6-9-1 overall, 2-7-1 in ACC play, while the defending national champions improve to 13-2-0, including a 7-2-0 mark in league action.

“We were under a lot of pressure every time we had the ball at our feet,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “In the first half we didn’t cope well with that. We were a bit frantic at times and were happy to just clear the ball and regroup. I’m disappointed that we didn’t find the time and space to play, but much of that was due to the pressure they put us under. In order to cope with it you have to prepare your body to play when you receive the ball and know where you want the ball to go. In the second half we had better ball movement and were dangerous on set plays.”

Syracuse’s defense was tested in the first half when it faced seven shots and successfully defended against eight corner kicks. However, the Tar Heels took advantage of a free kick in the eighth minute for the only goal of the game. Kealia Ohai tapped the ball on the restart before Summer Green put her shot in the upper right corner of the net for her fifth goal of the season. The Orange earned its first corner kick of the game in the 43rd minute but couldn’t get a shot off and trailed 1-0 at halftime.

The Tar Heels continued to apply offensive pressure in the second half. North Carolina recorded 15 shots, but Orange goalkeeper Brittany Anghel (East Meadow, N.Y.) stopped all five that were on goal to keep SU within striking distance. Syracuse earned its second corner kick of the game in the 60th minute, but didn’t get a shot off. The Orange couldn’t crack the Tar Heels’ defense in its sixth 1-0 loss of the season.

“Defensively, our back four did a great a job, particularly Rachel Blum (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and Kayla Afonso (Toronto, Ontario),” Wheddon said. “North Carolina is very talented up front with multiple scoring threats.”

Syracuse’s road trip continues Sunday when it plays at North Carolina State at noon. The game will be televised by RSN.

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