University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Michigan
No. 5 Carolina Downs Michigan, 1-0
September 12, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 12, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Junior Tim Merritt scored on a header at the far post at the 85:58 mark to lead the No. 5 North Carolina men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Michigan in the Nike Carolina Classic Friday at Fetzer Field. With the win the Tar Heels improve to 4-0-1 on the season, while the Wolverines fall to 3-2-0.
Carolina controlled the ball for much of the contest, outshooting Michigan, 22-4 overall and 14-1 in the second half. Merritt's goal, which came off a free kick by junior Ray Fumo, came on Carolina's 20th shot of the contest. The free kick came from about 25 yards out, and Merritt made a run at the far post to head the ball past Michigan goalkeeper Peter Dzubay and give the Tar Heels a win in their home opener.
Carolina had numerous chances to get on the scoreboard before Merritt's goal, as junior Marcus Storey and freshman Michael Harrington both nearly scored in the first half. Storey had a shot deflect off the cross bar and off the hands of Dzubay, while Harrington sent a header from Storey just to the left of the cage late in the opening half.
With the 14 second half shots, the Tar Heels also had a number of close calls in the second period, highlighted by a header off the near post from rookie Jamie Watson in the 68th minute.
Carolina goalkeeper Ford Williams earned his second shutout in three starts this season. He made two saves in 90 minutes of play, while Michigan's Dzubay made nine saves and allowed the one goal. As a team, the Tar Heels have posted three shutouts and allowed just two goals in five games this season.
In the day's first game, UNC Greensboro (3-1-0) upset 24th-ranked Virginia Commonwealth, 3-1, as the Spartans' Scott Jones scored twice in the victory.
Carolina faces VCU (3-2-0) at 2:30 p.m. Sunday to close out the event, while the Spartans and Wolverines square off at noon Sunday.
Scoring: 1. Tim Merritt (Ray Fumo), 85:58 Goals: Tim Merritt (UNC) Assists: Ray Fumo (UNC) Goalie Stats: Ford Williams (UNC): 2 saves, 0 goals allowed, 90 minutes; Peter Dzubay (UM): 8 saves, 1 goal allowed, 90 minutes. Shots: UNC 22, UM 4 Yellow Cards: Adam Bruh (UM), 10:37; Dawson Stellberger (UM), 44:58 Attendance: 2,136--TarHeelBlue.com--Score by Halves Team 1 2 Final UM 0 0 0 No. 5 UNC 0 1 1
