Tar Heels Take College Cup

North Carolina withstood a late-charge from Charlotte to hold onto a 1-0 win and capture its second College Cup in school history on Sunday afternoon at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.

Ben Speas scored the decider in the 65th minute while the Tar Heel defenders barely kept the 49ers off the board in the waning minutes as the first-seeded squad ended the Cinderella run of their in-state opponent.

After coming up short in the semifinals during the last two years, North Carolina came into the match as the heavy favorite over unseeded Charlotte, who shocked Creighton in penalties on Friday to earn their first trip to the NCAA final.

Despite their underdog status, the 49ers kept the Tar Heels off the board in the first half and became the aggressor in the second frame, sporting a 14-3 shot advantage.

But Speas made his count just after the hour when he speared into the attacking third an fired a 25-yard that that landed in the back of the net for the advantage.

The 49ers unleashed a furious response in final moments, but North Carolina was rescued by a goal line clearance and the crossbar as Charlotte’s magical run came to an end at Regions Park.