University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
NC State
Tar Heels Stop NC State, 2-0
October 24, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Senior Tim Merritt and sophomore Corey Ashe each scored first half goals, and goalkeeper Ford Williams posted his third shutout of the season to lead the North Carolina men's soccer team (7-6-2, 3-2-0 ACC) to a 2-0 win over NC State (6-6-1, 1-4-1 ACC) Sunday at Fetzer Field. Senior midfielder Andrew Rhea assisted on both goals for the Tar Heels, who have won four in a row and five of their last six matches.
Merritt put the Tar Heels up 1-0 with his third goal of the season in the eighth minute of action. Rhea set up the score when he chipped a 40-yard free kick into the box that Merritt one-timed past NC State keeper Jorge Gonzalez from about eight yards out. Merritt is now tied for third on the team with 10 points this season.
Rhea also picked up the assist on the second goal, a rebound score by Ashe at the 42:35 mark. Rhea blasted a shot on goal from about 28 yards out that Gonzalez stopped but could not grab. Ashe beat a Wolfpack defender to the loose ball and tapped it past Gonzalez for a 2-0 Tar Heel advantage. The goal was Ashe's team-best sixth of the season. Rhea is now tied for second on the team with four assists.
Both teams had scoring chances in the second half but neither could find the back of the net. The Tar Heels' Jamie Watson nearly gave UNC a three-goal advantage when he fired a shot off the crossbar in the 65th minute.
NC State outshot the Tar Heels, 10-4 in the first half and 15-14 for the match. Williams made five saves on the afternoon to keep the Wolfpack off the scoreboard. Williams, who has now allowed just three goals over the last six games, has three shutouts this season and 13 for his career. Gonzalez made five saves for NC State.
The Tar Heels, who are now unbeaten in their last nine matches against NC State, return to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. at home against William and Mary.
Scoring: 1. UNC - Tim Merritt (Andrew Rhea), 7:44 2. UNC - Corey Ashe (Andrew Rhea), 42:35 Goals: Tim Merritt (UNC), Corey Ashe (UNC) Assists: Andrew Rhea (UNC) 2 Goalie Stats: Ford Williams (UNC): 0 goals allowed, 5 saves, 90 minutes; Jorge Gonzalez (NCSU): 2 goals allowed, 5 saves, 90 minutes Shots: NCSU 15, UNC 14 Fouls: NCSU 15, UNC 12 Corners: NCSU 12, UNC 5 Offsides: UNC 4, NCSU 0 Yellow Cards: Marcus Storey (UNC), 31:00; Tim Merritt (UNC), 48:13; Aaron King (NCSU), 49:39; Justin Branch (NCSU), 50:31; Hugh Cronin (NCSU), 69:22; Santiago Fusilier (NCSU), 77:05 Attendance: 1548Score by Halves Team 1-2-Final NCSU 0-0-0 UNC 2-0-2
