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No. 5 Carolina Remains Unbeaten With 2-1 Win Over VCU
September 14, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 14, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Junior transfer Andrew Rhea scored his first goal in a North Carolina uniform in the 96th minute to lift the No. 5 Tar Heel men's soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 24 Virginia Commonwealth Sunday in the final game of the 2003 Nike Carolina Classic at Fetzer Field. Rhea's goal improves UNC to 5-0-1 on the season and drops the Rams to 3-3.
A native of Wichita, Kan., Rhea took a free kick from 20 yards out at the 95:30 mark and buried it in the lower right corner of the net to give Carolina the win. The Tar Heels are undefeated after six games for the first time since the 1987 squad opened the year 8-0, and the victory over VCU also improved Carolina's mark this season to 3-0 against nationally-ranked opponents.
Junior forward Marcus Storey put Carolina up 1-0 with his fifth goal of the season at the 30:37 mark in the first half. He scored on a put back of a shot from freshman Corey Ashe, who was credited with an assist on the play. Rookie Michael Harrington served the ball from the wing to Ashe, who had his shot blocked by VCU goal keeper Saul Montero, but Storey was there to put the rebound in the net for a 1-0 Tar Heel advantage.
The Rams tied the game at one early in the second half on a goal by Cristian Neagu, who scored on a one-timer into the top shelf. VCU's Stephen Shirley picked up an assist on the play, as his free kick got the play started.
Carolina took 12 shots to six for the Rams, and the Tar Heel defense limited VCU to just two shots after halftime. Sophomore Ford Williams went the distance in goal, allowing one score and making three saves. Montero also made three saves for VCU.
Four Tar Heels were named to the all-tournament team: Harrington, Grant Porter, Storey and Williams. Storey, who was also honored at the Wake Forest adidas Classic and the Vermont Smith Barney Soccer Classic, was named to his third all-tourney team of the season.
Carolina returns to action Saturday, Sept. 20, in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Virginia.
In the day's earlier game, Mychal Turpin scored four goals, including the overtime game winner, to lead Michigan to a 4-3 win over UNC Greensboro.
Scoring: 1. UNC - Marcus Storey (Corey Ashe), 30:37 2. VCU - Cristian Neagu (Stephen Shirley), 46:48 3. UNC - Andrew Rhea (Unassisted), 95:30 Goals: Andrew Rhea (UNC), Marcus Storey (UNC), Cristian Neagu (VCU) Assists: Corey Ashe (UNC), Stephen Shirley (VCU) Goalie Stats: Ford Williams (UNC): 1 goal allowed, 3 saves, 96 minutes; Saul Montero (VCU): 2 goals allowed, 3 saves, 96 minutes Shots: UNC 12, VCU 6 Yellow Cards: Gonzalo Segares (VCU), 21:21; Jimmy Daley (VCU), 80:38; McColm Cephas (VCU), 82:15 Attendance: 1,374--TarHeelBlue.com--Score by Halves Team 1 2 OT Final No. 24 VCU 0 1 0 1 No. 5 UNC 1 0 1 2
2003 NIKE CAROLINA CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: North Carolina: Michael Harrington, Grant Porter, Marcus Storey, Ford Williams; Michigan: Joe Iding, Mychal Turpin, Dawson Stellberger; UNC Greensboro: James Goodman, Randi Patterson; Virginia Commonwealth: Cristian Neagu, Gonzalo Segares
