CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 1 Stanford battled to a 2-2 draw in its ACC opener against North Carolina on Friday evening.
Conceding multiple goals for the first time this season, the Cardinal (6-0-1) settles for a point in the conference standings. North Carolina moves to 1-1-3 on the year, remaining unbeaten in the all-time series.
North Carolina drew first blood in the 13th minute, when an initial Tar Heel attack was deflected away by Rowan Schnebly before finding the feet of Ryan Zellefrow, who slotted it home for the early advantage.
Stanford drew level in the 37th minute, when North Carolina failed to collect an Alex Chow cross into the box, instead allowing Logan Tsopanoglou to tap it in at the goal line for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
The two sides would carry the deadlock into the halftime break, with shots even at 5-5 in the back-and-forth affair.
The Cardinal generated a couple of threatening chances in the opening moments of the second half, but it was North Carolina who reclaimed the lead in the 51st minute when Luca Nikolai was taken down in the box, earning the Tar Heels a penalty. Nikolai stepped up to take the kick himself, converting to the right side to give North Carolina a 2-1 lead.
Moments later, Stanford was awarded a penalty of its own when Logan Tsopanoglou was brought down in the box by a North Carolina defender. Jack Pymm stepped up for the Cardinal and calmly converted, drawing the match level once more.
Offensive looks were limited for Stanford the rest of the way, while the defense fended off the final six North Carolina attacks as well as four corner kick opportunities to seal the draw.
Stanford returns home on Tuesday, kicking off a three-match homestand at Cagan Stadium with a Bay Area bout against Santa Clara at 7 p.m. PT on ACC Network Extra. Tickets for Tuesday's match are available here.Â