University of North Carolina Athletics
Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference Quotes
November 25, 2001 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 25, 2001
UNC head coach Elmar Bolowich after the Nov. 25 NCAA Tournament win over Towson:
"This was the first time that we have a scenario like this where we have two teams playing on our home field two days before we're supposed to play the winner on Sunday. It felt a little funny.
"I felt we were in control of the game for the most part, and we outshot them, 27-7. In the first half, I felt like we had a harder time getting into an attacking rhythm. We wanted to have an attacking offense, and I think our defender, Chris Leitch, followed the lead right there because that was exactly the type of attitude you want your forwards to have. Go after the ball and be very decisive when you decide what to do with it.
"Towson is a very, very good team. They are experienced, they are well-coached, they are well-organized. I like the way they play. Certainly, we beat a wonderful opponent.
"With the [wet] field, you didn't know what to expect - some spots were hard, some were soft. In the beginning, you could see both teams were struggling a little bit with their footing. It takes a little while to get used to conditions like that. In the end, despite missed opportunities where we could have scored more, I was very happy because our intensity was there, our senior group led by example. Danny Jackson played a wonderful game, along with Chris Leitch, who along with that had some productivity on the other end when he scored a goal. Michael Ueltschey had his shutout. And Noz had a good game. So, it was a good day.
"Scoring is an attitude you have to have. For me, [playing well on offense] is not just scoring or not scoring. It's a matter of if does he work hard enough to create opportunities. The scoring will come as a result of it.
"Marcus Storey [thigh contusion early in the first half] was cleared to re-enter, but we opted not to bring him in. Gell did a good job and deserved to be rewarded with more playing time and we left him in with the lead.
Junior forward Ryan Kneipper:
"Toward the end, especially after we scored our second and third goals, you could see a difference [in Towson's defense]. I don't know if they were tired from playing Friday or if they just wore out because we played well. On my goal, I just flicked it ... with the side of my head. I aimed for the far post and the keeper moved over and I guess he didn't think I was going to get to it. It went right down the middle - not where I wanted it to, but it got in.
Senior defender Chris Leitch"
"Ryan's been stepping up for us all year. We're kind of scoring goals by group - it's not really one dominant forward. The opposing defenses can't just shut down Ryan because someone else like Testo or Gell or McGinty will score. When Ryan's had opportunities this year, he's done a good job.
"After we got a couple goals, it opened up for us a little bit. We kept possession more often.
