GoHeels Exclusive: Winn & Wright Push Heels Back To College Cup

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

CARY, N.C. — Carlos Somoano waited patiently, eyeing the opportune time.

A maestro of situational substitutions in his seven seasons as the North Carolina men's soccer coach, Somoano didn't make one through the first 70 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 win over Fordham in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. And there were three reasons why.

First, he believed the Tar Heels didn't overexert themselves during a first half that concluded with seven total shots by both teams. He also sensed his squad, locked in a 1-1 tie, building momentum. But perhaps what weighed on Somoano the most was the question of who he'd remove from the match.

A majority of UNC's subs occur along the front line. So, to make one, Somoano knew he'd likely have to pull either Alan Winn or Zach Wright, his senior forwards.

"I can't look at these guys and have a senior on the bench," said Somoano, referring to Winn and Wright. "They got us here, and I wanted to go with them."

And because of Winn and Wright's second-half goals, the Tar Heels advanced to the NCAA Men's College Cup for the sixth time over the last 10 seasons, marking the most appearances by any program in the country during that span.

Wright struck first. After a scoreless 60 minutes, Jack Skahan lofted a ball into the box, where Wright corralled it on the right side. He then fired a shot off the far post that found the back of the net. The goal, his fourth of the season, appeared to position UNC for a win. But a minute, 21 seconds later, Fordham tied the match at 1.

Both teams generated scoring chances over the next 10 minutes. And in the 71st, David October subbed in for Winn. Yet Winn returned just six minutes later, and Somoano didn't insert any other reserves into the game, making the Tar Heels' six bench minutes their fewest in 153 matches under Somoano.

Finally, in the 79th minute, UNC scored the game-winner. Cam Lindley passed the ball to Wright, who beat his defender down the right side before crossing the ball to Winn for a header from six yards out.

Here's how the seniors described the play:

"I got a ball out wide," Wright said, "and coach stresses we just get after our man with no hesitation. I got after him. I did a little stop-go and put it in."

"I saw Jelani (Pieters) got tripped up by one of their guys and Zach made a beautiful cross in," Winn said. "Coach stresses to always get in the box and always get the second balls or the crossed balls in. Zach made a beautiful cross, and I was just there to tap it in."

For both Winn and Wright to cite Somoano's instruction as the reason behind the game-winner hints at why Somoano called this team one of the most enjoyable he's coached.

Getting this group, full of energy and personality, to concentrate can be challenging, Somoano said. Yet it's been common for players to quote Somoano's teachings as they've spoken with reporters throughout the season.

Veterans like Winn and Wright help establish such a culture. And because of them, the Tar Heels will be making back-to-back College Cup appearances for the first time since they went four consecutive years from 2008-2011.

"I couldn't be happier to be sitting up here with these two guys right now, because it just seems like yesterday they showed up," said Somoano, with Winn and Wright beside him during the postgame press conference. "We were talking about some funny stuff four years ago, and they've just grown so much.

"I'm proud to see the way they played tonight to get us back to the College Cup."

GoHeels Exclusive: Winn & Wright Push Heels Back To College Cup

Players Mentioned

Cam Lindley

David October

Jack Skahan

Alan Winn

Zach Wright

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