University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 3 UNC Faces Mercer, Kentucky
October 9, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Fresh off a shutout win over then-No. 1-ranked Maryland, the No. 3 North Carolina men's soccer team returns to action this weekend at the UNC Greensboro adidas Classic. The Tar Heels (8-1-2, 2-1 ACC), who have posted six shutouts this season, take on Mercer (5-4-0) at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by a 1 p.m. Sunday meeting with Kentucky (6-3-1).
Carolina and Mercer will meet for the first time, while the Tar Heels own a 1-0 edge in the all-time series with the Wildcats. UNC topped Kentucky, 1-0, in Chapel Hill in 2000.
Unbeaten in their last four outings, Carolina has not allowed a goal in its last three games. The defense is led by ACC Player of the Week Tim Merritt, and the Tar Heels sport two outstanding goalkeepers in sophomore Ford Williams and freshman Justin Hughes. Hughes has started the last two games and has three shutouts in his four starts this season. He owns a 0.23 goals against average, while Williams sports a 0.67 GAA in seven starts. He also has three shutouts.
The Carolina offensive attack is led by speedy forwards Marcus Storey, Jamie Watson and Corey Ashe, who netted the game-winner against Maryland. Storey has five goals and two assists, while Watson has three goals and three assists. Ashe checks in with two scores and two assists. Nine different Tar Heels have scored this season.
Mercer enters Friday's contest riding a four-match winning streak, which includes three overtime victories. Offensively, the Bears are led by Del Olaoye, who has five goals and two assists in two games. Jonathan Riley has gone most of the season in goal and owns a 1.41 GAA. He has made 44 saves in eight games.
Kentucky has won two straight over Appalachian State and Bowling Green. The Wildcats are led by Jamal Shteiwi, who has three goals and seven assists in 10 starts. Riley O'Neill also has three goals on the season, and 10 different Wildcats have scored in 2003. Andy Gruenebaum has played the entire season in net and owns a 0.77 GAA.
Next up for the Tar Heels is a trip to NC State Oct. 19. Carolina does not play at home again until a Nov. 1 meeting with Clemson.
