University of North Carolina Athletics
Tim Merritt Named Tar Heels' MVP
January 24, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Jan. 24, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - As chosen by his teammates, senior defender Tim Merritt received the Mike Thompson Award as most valuable player at the North Carolina men's soccer team's annual awards banquet Friday, January 21. Junior goalkeeper Ford Williams (Coaches Award), senior midfielder Ray Fumo (Tar Heel Award) and sophomore forward Corey Ashe (Most Improved Player) were also honored.
Taken with the 12th pick of the fourth round by D.C. United of the January 14 MLS SuperDraft, Merritt was a two-time second-team All-ACC selection at defender for Carolina. He scored 10 goals and had 11 assists for 31 points over his collegiate career, and the Tar Heel co-captain had a career-best 10 points in 2004.
Williams was the recipient of the Nicholas Douglass Potter Coaches Award by the UNC coaching staff. He started 17 games in goal and posted a 1.27 goals against average and 53 saves.
A co-captain along with Merritt, Fumo brought home the Mercer Reynolds Tar Heel Award for the second straight year. It is presented annually for excellence in community service. Fumo had one goal and three assists this season.
A second-team All-ACC selection for the first time in his career, Ashe earned the Tom Evins Jr. Most Improved Player Award after tying to the Carolina scoring lead with 18 points on a team-best nine goals. He scored just four goals as a freshman. He is the Tar Heels' leading returning scorer for 2005, as Marcus Storey and Jamie Waston, who also had 18 points this past season, have moved on to MLS.
