University of North Carolina Athletics
McCarty Leads Four Tar Heels On All-ACC Squad
November 7, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 7, 2005
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Sophomore midfielder Dax McCarty captured first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, while freshman midfielder Scott Campbell and junior defenders Michael Harrington and Andre Sherard each picked up second-team accolades as the ACC announced its 2005 men's soccer honors Monday. The four selections are the most since 2002 for the Tar Heels.
Additionally, Campbell and fellow rookie midfielder Michael Callahan were named to the All-ACC Freshman Team.
McCarty, one of just three midfielders on the first team, has started all 18 games for head coach Elmar Bolowich and is tied for fourth on the team with 10 points. The Winter Park, Fla., native leads the Tar Heels with six assists and has scored two goals, both game-winners. Much of the Carolina offensive attack runs through McCarty, who takes the majority of corner kicks and free kicks for the Tar Heels. His aggressive play in the midfield provides a seamless transition from defense to offense for UNC.
Campbell leads Carolina and is fourth in the conference with 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. The 10 goals, including four game-winners, also top the Tar Heels and stand tied for fifth in the ACC. The Plantation, Fla., product recorded a hat trick in Carolina's regular season finale versus Boston College.
Greenville, N.C., natives Harrington and Sherard are a part of a Carolina back line that helped post an ACC-best 0.69 goals against average. The Tar Heels surrendered just 13 goals in 18 matches and notched a league-high 11 shutouts. Playing outside back for the first time at Carolina, Harrington was the most offensive-minded of the Tar Heel defenders, pressing forward from the back often and notching three assists. He started all 18 matches, while Sherard started 17 at center back where he was the backbone of the defense. The Tar Heels have posted four straight shutouts heading into the week's ACC Championship.
Callahan, a Cary native, started 17 games in the midfield for the Tar Heels and recorded three points on one goal and one assist. His lone goal was the overtime game-winner at Wake Forest Oct. 22.
Carolina and regular season champ Maryland led the way with four member of the all-conference teams, while Duke and Virginia each had three selections. Clemson, NC State and Wake Forest all placed a pair of student-athletes on the All-ACC squads, and Virginia Tech and Boston College each had one player make the list.
Maryland forward Jason Garey was named the league's offensive player of the year, while Clemson defender Nathan Sturgis claimed defensive honors. Virginia Tech forward Patrick Nyarko was named freshman of the year, and Maryland's Sasho Cirovski was honored as coach of the year.
The all-conference teams and awards are based on a vote of the league's nine head coaches.
Carolina opens play in the ACC Tournament against NC State Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at SAS Soccer Park in Cary.
