Tar Heels Fall To Portland In Season Opener
August 18, 2012
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<p><strong>PORTLAND, ORE. – </strong>Ellen Parker of Portland scored off a set piece just over four minutes into the match and the goal held up for a 1-0 victory for the Pilots over fourth-ranked North Carolina Friday night. A crowd of 4,014 fans was on hand at Merlo Field as the Pilots beat the Tar Heels for the first time in 10 tries.</p>
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<p>It was a tough night for the Tar Heels, who lost a season opener for only the fourth time in school history. UNC outshot the Pilots 20-7 on the night but only four of Carolina’s 20 shots were on goal and the lack of shooting accuracy doomed the Tar Heels’ chance at a comeback win.</p>
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<p>Portland was very efficient on its seven shots. The Pilots placed four of their seven on goal, scoring the goal by Parker at 4:02 and then forcing Adelaide Gay into three saves. Erin Dees made four saves in goals for the Pilots (1-0).</p>
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<p>The Tar Heels also led in corner kicks 7-2 but were unable to get a goal off their set pieces.</p>
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<p>UNC also fell victim to injury woes as senior defender Megan Brigman left the game less than four minutes in and did not return. She was in crutches on the best in the second half. Sophomore Brooke Elby left the game on a cart with her right leg in an air cast with seven minutes to play.</p>
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<p>The goal came about a little over four minutes in when UNC committed a foul just outside the right side of the box. On the restart, Amanda Frisbie sent her free kick into a dangerous spot at the four-yard line and Ellen Parker redirected it into the lower left corner of the goal. UNC goalkeeper Adelaide Gay got her hands on the shot but was unable to keep it out of the net.</p>
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<p>Carolina will have a week off to prepare for ninth-ranked Florida. The Gators visit Fetzer Field next Friday at 7 p.m. for a game in the Carolina Nike Classic. The ninth-ranked Gators were upset Friday night in their season opener by a 4-1 score by Miami in a match played in Gainesville, Fla.</p>
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