University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
William & Mary
Top-Ranked Tar Heels Blank Tribe In Opener
August 25, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 25, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - No. 1 North Carolina scored twice in just over five minutes late in the first half and limited William & Mary to just six shots in a 2-0 victory over the Tribe in the season opener for both teams Friday at the Wake Forest adidas Classic at Spry Stadium.
Senior preseason All-America Ben Hunter scratched for the Tar Heels' first goal of 2006 on an unassisted strike at 29:52, and sophomore forward Stephen Bickford followed with his second career goal at 35:04. Classmate Brian Shriver picked up an assist on Bickford's score.
Carolina outshot William & Mary, 23-6, in the match and held an 11-1 edge in corner kicks. The Tribe managed just two shots in the opening half, but put three shots on goal in the second frame. Senior goalkeeper Justin Hughes went the distance to pick up his 14th career shutout in just 26 starts.
William & Mary keeper Kris Rake made nine stops on the night and allowed the two goals.
With their season-opening shutout, Carolina has now held its opponents scoreless in nine of its last 11 outings dating to last season.
The Tar Heels are back in action at noon Sunday against UCF.
