University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
VCU (Alltel/Nike Classic)
McCarty Goal Lifts No. 11 Tar Heels Past VCU, 1-0
September 2, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 2, 2005
RICHMOND, Va. - Sophomore midfielder Dax McCarty found the back of the net in the 51st minute, and senior Ford Williams logged a shutout in goal to lift No. 11/17 North Carolina (1-0-0) to a 1-0 win over No. 11/12 VCU (0-1-0) Friday at the Alltel/Nike Classic at the Rams' Sports Backers Stadium.
With the win, the Tar Heels are now unbeaten in their last eight season openers, and they avenged last season's 5-2 loss to VCU at the Carolina Nike Classic. The all-time series is now even at 2-2 between the two teams.
Neither team managed much offensively in the first half, as the Rams and Tar Heels combined for just eight shots and no goals in the opening 45 minutes. But McCarty changed that early in the second frame, when he took a pass from junior defender David Boole and fired a shot over VCU goalkeeper Rob Szymanik from 18 yards out for a 1-0 UNC lead at 50:15.
McCarty's goal was enough for the Tar Heel defense, as it limited the Rams to just 10 shots and two corner kicks on the night. Williams made two saves to record his 16th career shutout, while Syzmanik made three stops on the night. Carolina led the way with 14 shots in the match.
The Tar Heels return to action at the Alltel/Nike Classic versus Richmond at 1 p.m. Sunday.
