University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina-Duke Men's Soccer Game Opens Carlyle Cup Competition
September 26, 2002 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2002
By Meg Schiffman
UNC Athletic Communications
It's big. It's sterling silver. It's expensive. And it represents the culmination of one of the nation's most bloodthirsty rivalries. It's the Carlyle Cup.
Already some of the most highly anticipated athletic events nation-wide, Carolina-Duke games are the breeding ground for intense competition -- the kind that pits neighbor against neighbor, boyfriend against girlfriend and brother against sister. This weekend's men's soccer game at Duke (7 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium in Durham) marks the opening event of the Carlyle Cup, the award bestowed upon the school with the most points at the end of the athletic year.
Last year, Carolina defeated 31-17 in the final standings, though Duke won the inaugural Cup 27-21.
Carolina men's soccer players Matt Crawford and Ryan Kneipper feel the institution of the Carlyle Cup has been extremely beneficial to spawning healthy competition between Carolina and Duke. "There's always been a rivalry," said Crawford, a starting midfielder for the Tar Heels. "But now that the Carlyle Cup exists it gives us even more of an incentive to win."
One of the goals of the Cup is to recognize the competition that exists at all sporting events between the two highly respected universities, not just men's basketball and football.
"In the end, we have to rely on all sports -- not just basketball -- to win this Cup," said Kneipper, Carolina's leader last year with 34 points and 14 goals. "It definitely keeps the rivalry heated, and I think that's what is needed to get fans to some of the smaller events."
The Carolina men's soccer team is currently 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. The players are excited for the "big game" this weekend, Kneipper said. "I really want to beat Duke. It will look really good starting out the season 2-0 in the ACC."
"We got off to a slow start this season, but sometimes that's natural coming off such a good season," said Crawford of the defending national champion Tar Heels. "You start to expect things will happen, but that's not the case. We've learned from our losses so far, however, and I think we're on the right track now."
With the help of two fresh faces on the sidelines, assistant coach Carlos Somoano and goalkeeper trainer John Cone, the right track wasn't too hard to find.
"Our coaches are responsible for helping us turn our attitudes around," Kneipper said. "They have a different perspective, and it helps keep us on our toes."
So the Tar Heels have a lot to think about before setting foot on Blue Devil's territory this weekend -- it's an important game for the conference standings and it could help UNC get off to a fast start in the Carlyle Cup standings.
Visit the official Carlyle Cup website for current updates, the 2002-03 Carolina-Duke schedule, competition rules and other information.
