University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Blue-White Exhibition
Defense Controls Blue-White Men's Soccer Exhibition
August 21, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 21, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The defensive strength of the No. 1-ranked North Carolina men's soccer team was on display Monday in the Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage, which ended in a 1-1 tie at Fetzer Field. Stephen Bickford and Corey Ashe provided the offense, as the teams combined for just 13 shots in the 70-minute match.
Bickford gave the White squad the lead at halftime over the Tar Heel starters with an unassisted strike in the 33rd minute of action. The Cary product dribbled toward the middle of the field from the left and fired from 22 yards just over the outstretched arm of UNC keeper Justin Hughes for his first goal of the preseason.
Ashe found the equalizer for the Blue team in the 45th minute with his second score in the preseason. Freshman Zach Loyd sent a cross from the right flank towards the middle of the field, where Ashe scored from 14 yards out. Loyd's cross hit a White defender, but Ashe was able to control the ball for the game-tying score.
The Blue squad managed 11 of the game's 13 shots, and the Tar Heels' defensive starters held the White team to just two shots - both in the first half. Hughes made one save in first half, while Chris Litchford halted two shots for the White team in the opening frame. Redshirt freshman Jacob Wescoe and freshman Brooks Haggerty played the second half in net.
Freshman Javier Velez was the lone player to see action for both teams, as he started for the White team and came on for Michael Harrington on the Blue squad in the second frame.
The Tar Heels open the 2006 regular season at the Wake Forest adidas Classic in Winston-Salem. Carolina plays William & Mary at 5 p.m. Friday and will meet UCF at noon Sunday.
