University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 23 Tar Heels Host No. 11 Maryland
October 7, 1999 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 7, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The North Carolina men's soccer team will host Atlantic Coast Conference rival Maryland Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Fetzer Field in a matchup of two ranked teams. The Tar Heels and Terrapins split their two meetings last year, with Carolina winning, 2-1 in overtime in College Park and Maryland winning, 2-0, in the ACC Tournament. Carolina is led offensively by sophomore forward Chris Carrieri, who leads the Tar Heels in goals (eight) and scoring (21 points) this season, junior forward Caleb Norkus (6g-0a-12pts.) and junior midfielder Michael Bucy (3g-5a-11pts.). The Tar Heels' strong young defensive corps has allowed 12 goals in 10 games and sophomore goalkeeper Michael Ueltschey ranks fourth in the ACC with a 1.00 goals-against average. UNC is 6-2 this year in games Ueltschey has started in goal. Maryland is perhaps the ACC's best defensive team, boasting a conference-best six shutouts and yielding just 0.80 goals per game (second in the ACC behind Duke).
Offense Dominates vs. Winthrop
The Tar Heel offense exploded for nine goals and cruised to a 9-1 victory over Winthrop Wednesday night at Fetzer Field. The nine goals were the most scored by a Carolina team since a 12-0 win over Barton in 1987. The eight-goal margin of victory was UNC's biggest since downing Wofford, 8-0, in 1997.
The Series with the Terrapins
Maryland leads the all-time series with Carolina, 33-18-2. UNC head coach Elmar Bolowich is 4-9 in 13 career games against the Terrapins.
In the National Rankings
In this week's national rankings, Carolina is ranked No. 23 by Soccer Times (as of Oct. 4). Last week, before battling No. 3 Duke to a near-standstill but losing, 1-0, Carolina was ranked No. 24 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and No. 20 by Soccer America. Carolina was ranked No. 12 the week of Sept. 20 before losing at No. 16 Virginia, 2-1, on Sept. 26 in Charlottesville.
Young Heels Growing Up on the Field
The Tar Heel roster features just three seniors and eight upperclassmen overall, but Carolina has come together and played cohesively this season despite its inexperience. Seven of Carolina's regular starters this season are either freshmen or sophomores. Last season, with just one senior and a starting lineup dominated by freshmen, UNC went 11-6-2 to post its best season in several years.
This year, the Tar Heels have outscored their opponents, 30-12, taken nearly twice the number of shots (149 to 85) as its opponents and allowed one goal or less in seven of 10 games.
Fast Facts
The Heels have gotten off to quick starts often this year, outscoring their opponents, 16-7, in the first half in 1999 ... The Tar Heels are 4-1 at home, 2-2 away and 1-0 at neutral sites ... Carolina is 6-0 when leading at halftime, 0-1 when tied at haltime and 1-2 when trailing at intermission.
Head Coach Elmar Bolowich
Now in his 11th season as Carolina's head coach, Elmar Bolowich has a career coaching record of 114-81-12, all at UNC. Bolowich has led the Tar Heels to four NCAA appearances.
Among the ACC Leaders (as of Oct. 4)
Chris Carrieri: third in points, tied third in goals, Michael Bucy: tied ninth in points, tied second in assists, Michael Ueltschey: fourth in GAA, second in saves per game, fifth in save percentage
Tar Heel Honors:
Soccer America Team of the Week: Caleb Norkus (Sept. 20)
Nike Carolina Classic All-Tournament Team: Michael Bucy, Joey DiSalvo, Caleb Norkus, David Popp
Nike Carolina Classic Team MVP: Michael Bucy
