University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels take on SMU in Sweet 16
November 21, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Chapel Hill, N.C. – The North Carolina Tar Heels will take on SMU in the third round of the NCAA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 6 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. This is the 9th time in the last 10 years the Tar Heels will be playing in the Sweet 16.
History with SMU
Although both UNC and SMU have a rich history in the college soccer landscape, these two programs have only met twice, both with trips to the Men's College Cup on the line. The first meeting came in 2005 when the Mustangs defeated the Tar Heels 3-2 in double overtime in Chapel Hill. They faced off again in the quarterfinals in 2010 when the Tar Heels advanced 4-2 on penalty kicks after both teams ended regulation tied 1-1.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are available for purchase at GoHeels.com, and are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. The first 100 UNC students with valid a UNC One Card will receive free entry to the game. Gates will open at 5 p.m. ET.
Broadcast
The match will be carried live on ACC Network Extra beginning at 6 p.m. ACC Network Extra is streamed live on WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
Tar Heel News & Notes
• With its win against UNCW, the Tar Heels secured its 9th trip to the Sweet 16 in the last 10 years, the most of any program during that time. Indiana is second with 8.
•If UNC advances to the Elite 8, it will be the 8th time in the last 10, more than any other program during that time.
• The Tar Heels overall record against SMU in its two matches is 0-1-1 record.
•The only two times UNC and SMU have faced off has been in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. UNC advanced in 2010 in PKs and SMU advanced in 2005 with a 3-2 win.
• North Carolina is the third overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. This is the seventh time in the last nine years Carolina has been a top-16 national seed.
• UNC is no stranger to Texas players as 7 members of the current UNC team are from Texas.
• Between the two rosters 22 players are from Texas with 5 from Lone Star High School.
• The Tar Heels will be making its 17th appearance in the last 18 seasons in the NCAA Tournament.
• UNC is tied for 2nd nationally with 49 goals and 3rd with an average of 2.58 goals per game.
• UNC has 14 different goal scorers in 2017, the most since the 2001 NCAA title team had 14.
• Cam Lindley was named ACC Midfielder of the Year
• Senior Zach Wright has delivered 10 assists this season, increasing his career total to 27. That figure ranks tied for sixth most among active players in NCAA Division I men's soccer.
• Among NCAA active leaders, goalkeeper James Pyle ranks fifth in save percentage (.806) and third in goals against average (.605).
History with SMU
Although both UNC and SMU have a rich history in the college soccer landscape, these two programs have only met twice, both with trips to the Men's College Cup on the line. The first meeting came in 2005 when the Mustangs defeated the Tar Heels 3-2 in double overtime in Chapel Hill. They faced off again in the quarterfinals in 2010 when the Tar Heels advanced 4-2 on penalty kicks after both teams ended regulation tied 1-1.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are available for purchase at GoHeels.com, and are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. The first 100 UNC students with valid a UNC One Card will receive free entry to the game. Gates will open at 5 p.m. ET.
Broadcast
The match will be carried live on ACC Network Extra beginning at 6 p.m. ACC Network Extra is streamed live on WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
Tar Heel News & Notes
• With its win against UNCW, the Tar Heels secured its 9th trip to the Sweet 16 in the last 10 years, the most of any program during that time. Indiana is second with 8.
•If UNC advances to the Elite 8, it will be the 8th time in the last 10, more than any other program during that time.
• The Tar Heels overall record against SMU in its two matches is 0-1-1 record.
•The only two times UNC and SMU have faced off has been in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. UNC advanced in 2010 in PKs and SMU advanced in 2005 with a 3-2 win.
• North Carolina is the third overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. This is the seventh time in the last nine years Carolina has been a top-16 national seed.
• UNC is no stranger to Texas players as 7 members of the current UNC team are from Texas.
• Between the two rosters 22 players are from Texas with 5 from Lone Star High School.
• The Tar Heels will be making its 17th appearance in the last 18 seasons in the NCAA Tournament.
• UNC is tied for 2nd nationally with 49 goals and 3rd with an average of 2.58 goals per game.
• UNC has 14 different goal scorers in 2017, the most since the 2001 NCAA title team had 14.
• Cam Lindley was named ACC Midfielder of the Year
• Senior Zach Wright has delivered 10 assists this season, increasing his career total to 27. That figure ranks tied for sixth most among active players in NCAA Division I men's soccer.
• Among NCAA active leaders, goalkeeper James Pyle ranks fifth in save percentage (.806) and third in goals against average (.605).
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
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