University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 3 Seed Tar Heels Face NC State Wednesday
November 9, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 9, 2004
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 3 seed North Carolina (9-7-2, 4-3-0 ACC) faces sixth-seeded NC State (8-7-2, 1-4-1 ACC) in the opening round of the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Soccer Championship at 8 p.m. Wednesday at SAS Soccer Complex in Cary. The Tar Heels, who have won seven of their last nine games, are in search of their first ACC tourney win since 2001. Carolina defeated NC State, 2-0, on October 24 and is unbeaten in its last nine meetings with the Wolfpack. State's last victory in the series came in 1997. The winner of Wednesday's match will face the winner between Maryland and Clemson in Friday's second semifinal at 8 p.m.
All-time series record: North Carolina leads the all-time series, 43-19-10. This is the teams' 73rd meeting
Earlier this season: Carolina defeated NC State, 2-0, on October 24 at Fetzer Field. Tim Merritt and Corey Ashe scored for the Tar Heels.
Last time at the ACC Championship: The Tar Heels and Wolfpack played to a scoreless tie last season. NC State advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3.
SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
Junior forward Aaron King paces the NC State offense with 11 goals, while Federico Peira has four goals and eight assists. Junior Jorge Gonzalez owns a 1.04 goals against average in 15 starts. The Wolfpack enters the match with three consecutive shutouts - wins over Campbell and Virginia Tech and a scoreless tie with Boston College.
CAROLINA TAKES THIRD SEED ON TIE BREAKER
Carolina finished the season tied for third with both Duke and Virginia but claimed the No. 3 seed on the league's third tie-breaking procedure. The Tar Heels, Blue Devils and Cavaliers each posted a 1-1 record versus each other and were even in goal differential amongst the three tied teams. Carolina took the third seed based 12 goals scored in conference play compared to 11 for both Duke and Virginia. The Tar Heels scored a season-best four goals, including two in the second half by All-ACC forward Corey Ashe, in Sunday's win over Clemson.
HEELS' HISTORY IN ACC TOURNAMENT PLAY
Carolina seeks its first ACC Championship victory since 2001 against NC State Wednesday. The Tar Heels, who played to a tie with NC State a year ago, are winless in their last three tournament games. Overall, the Tar Heels are 12-14-2 (.464) in ACC Championship play. UNC won ACC titles in 1987 and 2001 and also advanced to the title game in 1988. The Tar Heels are 7-7-2 in first round games, 3-6 in the semifinals and 2-1 in the title game.
TAR HEEL TURNAROUND
After dropping tough one-goal matches to both top-ranked UNC Greensboro and Duke, North Carolina was 2-5-2 on the season. Since that point, the Tar Heels started to click on both sides of the ball and won seven of their final nine matches, including five in a row. After being outscored 18-13 through the first half of the season (nine games), Carolina has outscored its opponents 18-6 in the last nine. The Tar Heels only losses in this stretch were a 1-0 defeat at Maryland on October 10 and an October 31 loss to Wake Forest.
FIVE TAR HEELS CLAIM ALL-ACC ACCOLADES
North Carolina senior forward Marcus Storey earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference men's soccer accolades for the second straight season to highlight five Tar Heels honored by the league office Tuesday. Senior defender Tim Merritt and sophomore midfielder/forward Corey Ashe were named to the second team, while rookie defenders Andre Sherard and Adam Sloustcher were selected to the All-ACC Freshmen Team.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Carolina allowed 19 goals in its first 11 matches, but since then the Tar Heels' trademarked stout defense has returned. Over the last seven games, Carolina has surrendered just five goals, which is good for a 0.71 goals against average. Led by all-conference middle back Tim Merritt and the outstanding play of junior goalkeeper Ford Williams, the Tar Heels posted three shutouts over this stretch.
BANNER YEAR FOR ASHE
Sophomore Corey Ashe leads the Tar Heel attack with eight goals on the season, including two in the regular season finale at Clemson for his first career multi-goal game. Three of his scores were game winners, which also tops the team. Ashe, who had four goals a year ago, doubled his goal total from his freshman season, and the eight goals are the most by a Tar Heel in a single season since Ryan Kneipper netted 18 in 2002.
MERRITT FINDS SCORING TOUCH
Senior defender Tim Merritt has been a vocal leader in the back for the Tar Heels for the entire season, but has also contributed significantly on the offensive side of the field. The Gig Harbor, Wash., native currently ranks fourth on the team with 10 points on three goals and four assists. His most recent goal, which came off an Andrew Rhea free kick, was the eventual game-winner against NC State. Merritt also connected from the top of the box against Duke to tie the match at two in the 84th minute. Against UNC Asheville, Merritt buried a 25-yard shot in the final minute of the first half to lift the Tar Heels to a 3-0 lead.
WATSON DELIVERS OFF THE BENCH
Last year's ACC Freshman of the Year Jamie Watson has started just one of Carolina's last seven games but has nine points on four goals and an assist over this stretch. On the year, he is third on the team with 15 points on six goals and three assists. The six goals are a single-season collegiate best for Watson.
STRONG YEAR FOR STOREY
Senior Marcus Storey leads Carolina with 18 points on six goals and six assists this season. The six assists are the most for Storey since he had eight as a freshman in 2001. Despite constant pressure from opposing defenses, Storey, who has scored three goals over Carolina's current winning streak, has already surpassed his point total of last season (15). With a goal against William and Mary on October 27, Storey is now tied for eighth all-time in Tar Heel history,
CAREER GOALS SCORED Rank Name (Years) Goals 1. Derek Missimo (1987-90) 56 2. Chris Carrieri (1998-2000) 50 3. Temoc Suarez (1993-96) 47 4. Caleb Norkus (1997-2000) 40 5. Ryan Kneipper (1999-2002) 39 6. Mark Devey (1982-86) 32 Tony Johnson (1979-82) 32 8. Marcus Storey (2001-04) 29 Donald Cogsville (1984-88) 29 9. Billy Hartman (1981-84) 28 David Smyth (1984-87) 28
BOLOWICH CLOSING IN ON 200
With three wins this week and an ACC title, Carolina's 16-year head coach Elmar Bolowich will become the first UNC men's soccer coach to reach the 200-victory plateau. Already the program's winningest coach, Bolowich owns a career mark of 197-110-20.
ROOKIE HONOR FOR SLOUSTCHER
Freshman defender/midfielder Adam Sloustcher was named to Top Drawer Soccer's All-Freshman second team. The Pleasanton, Calif., native has played in all 18 matches this season and has made 15 starts, mainly on the backline. His one goal on the season was the game-winner in Carolina's 2-1 victory over Virginia.
FETZER'S FRIENDLY CONFINES
Carolina owns a 312-97-24 all-time record at Fetzer Field, and went 5-3-1 this season. Prior to the senior day loss to Wake Forest, Carolina had won five straight at home after a rare five-match winless streak in Chapel Hill. Over the last six seasons, Carolina owns an impressive 48-11-2 mark on its home turf. However, the Tar Heels did drop three matches at home for the first time since 1999.
STRONG FINISH FOR WILLIAMS
After a slow start, junior goalkeeper Ford Williams has been impressive over the last nine matches - all starts - and has allowed just six goals over this stretch. He has made 25 saves over these nine matches and has posted an .806 save percentage. Williams has four shutouts on the season and now has 14 in his three-year collegiate career.
GERMANI LOST FOR SEASON
Freshman defensive midfielder Chris Germani, who had started four matches, was lost for the season with a right knee injury suffered in practice prior to the win over Virginia. According to head coach Elmar Bolowich, Germani will require surgery and should miss approximately six months. "The injury is a setback for Chris," said Bolowich. "He was getting more and more comfortable in his position as a defensive midfielder but is now sidelined for the remainder of the season and possibly the spring."
FRESHMEN CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE
Despite the loss of defensive midfielder Chris Germani, Carolina's talented crop of rookies continues to make an impact for head coach Elmar Bolowich. Eight different freshmen have played, led by Andre Sherard, who has started all 18 matches at defender and has one assist on the season. Midfielder Dax McCarty has played in all 18 games and has six points on two goals and two assists. Defender Adam Sloustcher has also made 15 starts and scored the game-winner against Virginia. Defender Michael Walters has made four starts.
