University of North Carolina Athletics
Merritt Tabbed for Soccer America Team of the Week
October 8, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 8, 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 picked up his second award of the week Tuesday when he was named to the Soccer America Men's National Team of the Week.
The Gig Harbor, Wash., native was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week Monday. After playing to a scoreless tie against the Patriots last Tuesday, Merritt 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.
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.
Merritt is the third Tar Heel to earn a spot on Soccer America's weekly team. Junior Marcus Storey was honored following the first week, while classmate Andrew Rhea brought home honors after the third week of the season.
Carolina returns to action this weekend against both Mercer and Kentucky at the UNC Greensboro adidas Classic.
