University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina's Tim Merritt Named ACC Player of the Week
October 6, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After anchoring the middle of a Tar Heel defense that posted 200 shutout minutes against top-ranked Maryland and George Mason, North Carolina junior defender Tim Merritt was named Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Additionally, senior defender Sean McGinty was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
After playing to a scoreless tie against the Patriots last Tuesday, Merritt, McGinty and the rest of the Carolina backline blanked No. 1 Maryland, 1-0, on Sunday. The Terps entered the game as the highest scoring team in the ACC. The victory was the Tar Heels' first over a top-ranked team since a 5-1 win over Virginia on Sept. 25, 1994.
A native of Gig Harbor, Wash., Merritt has started all 11 games for the Tar Heels this season and has been an instrumental part of the six Carolina shutouts this season. In all, UNC has allowed just six goals on the year. Offensively, Merritt has five points on two goals and an assist, while McGinty, a Charlotte native and team co-captain, has a goal and an assist on the year.
Merritt is the second ACC Player of the Week selection for the Tar Heels this season, as junior forward Marcus Storey brought home league honors following the first week of the season. He was also named to the College Soccer News team that week.
Carolina returns to action this weekend against both Mercer and Kentucky at the UNC Greensboro adidas Classic.
