University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Look To Even ACC Slate Against Tigers
October 25, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 25, 2007
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Fresh off a 4-0 win over High Point Tuesday, North Carolina looks to even its Atlantic Coast Conference record Friday when it hosts Clemson at 7:30 p.m. at Fetzer Field. A win over the Tigers (6-8-1, 1-5-0 ACC) would give the Tar Heels (5-4-5, 2-3-0 ACC) back-to-back victories for just the second time this season. A webcast of the event will be available live and on-demand at ACCSelect.com.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS
Clemson leads the all-time series with Carolina, 26-18-6. The Tigers scored a 1-0 win in Clemson a year ago, but the Tar Heels have won three of the teams' last four meetings. UNC has lost just once at home to Clemson since 1997 - a 1-0 defeat at Fetzer in 2003.
ABABIO BREAKS OUT AGAINST HIGH POINT
Defender Eddie Ababio had his most productive game as a Tar Heel Tuesday with four points on two assists and a penalty kick goal in the 4-0 win over High Point. The points were the first of the season for Ababio, who shifted to outside back for the first time this season. The Tampa product has played extremely well in his new position and is one of just two players to start all 14 games this season.
SHERARD ANCHORS DEFENSE ONCE AGAIN
Senior center back Andre Sherard is once again making his presence felt despite not taking a shot or tallying a single point this season. The UNC captain has organized a young back line into a defensive unit that has allowed only 11 goals in 14 games and posted six shutouts. After Tuesday's win over High Point, the Tar Heels ranked second in the ACC with a 0.72 GAA.
CAROLINA LOOKING STRONG IN THE RPI
Despite a slow start and a 4-3-5 overall record as of Oct. 14, North Carolina was rated No. 18 in the first edition of the NCAA's official Ratings Percentage Index for men's soccer. The RPI is a factor in selection and seeding for the NCAA Tournament, which the Tar Heels have made for a school-record eight straight years. Six ACC teams were ranked in the top 21 of the RPI.
TAR HEELS BATTLING TOUGH SCHEDULE
Despite facing a schedule that owns a combined 120-91-34 record, the Tar Heels have lost only four of their 14 matches on the season. Carolina has lost to three of the top 12 teams in this week's rankings, as well as a 10-2-2 Monmouth squad. The teams that have defeated the Tar Heels this season own a combined 36-9-10 record.
G. LEWIS A SCORING THREAT OF LATE
After scoring just one goal a year ago for the Tar Heels, junior midfielder Garry Lewis is tied for second on the team with three goals this season. He has scored in two of Carolina's last three games, including the 4-0 win over High Point Tuesday. A solid defensive midfielder, Lewis has added a scoring punch that the Tar Heels have needed.
CAROLINA CONTROLLING POSSESSION
Despite struggling to find the back of the net for much of the season, the Tar Heels have dominated possession for most of their first 14 games and have generated plenty of scoring chances. Through Tuesday's games, Carolina was second in the ACC with 107 corner kicks and third with 221 shots. Conversely, the Tar Heels' defense is holding the opposition to just 9.0 shots and 3.0 corners per game.
ADELEYE HONORED FOR DUKE HEROICS
Junior defender Ryan Adeleye was named Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week Oct. 15 after leading his Tar Heels to a 1-0 upset over eighth-ranked Duke with the game-winning goal in the 103rd minute on Oct. 11. Additionally, Adeleye was named to national teams of the week by Soccer America and College Soccer News. The junior was also an integral part of a back line that held the Blue Devils to just five shots and five corner kicks.
UNC EQUALS TIE MARK
With five ties through 14 games, Carolina has already matched its school record for draws in a single season, which was established in 1979. That team also set a school record with 10 overtime matches, and this year's squad has already played seven.
TOPS IN THE TRIANGLE
For the first time since the national championship season of 2001, Carolina has defeated both Duke and NC State in the regular season to claim the unofficial Triangle title. The Tar Heels scored a 1-0 win over the Wolfpack in Raleigh Sept. 15 and followed with a 1-0 overtime victory over the Blue Devils Oct. 11.
BROWN A SPARK OFF THE BENCH
Freshman midfielder Cameron Brown has been a spark off the UNC bench all season but has really come on of late with goals in two of the last five games he has played. Brown scored in the final minute of the win over Liberty and scored UNC's lone goal in the 2-1 loss at No. 4 Virginia. Brown, who missed the Duke win with five yellow cards has started four games this season and is tied for third on the team with six points on three goals.
DERIC A FRESHMAN TO WATCH
Freshman goalkeeper Tyler Deric was recently labeled a "Freshman to Watch" by College Soccer News and with good reason. The Spring, Texas, native has started 12 of 14 games in goal with a 0.75 goals against average, five shutouts and 41 saves, including a career-high seven at Virginia Tech in his last start. Following Tuesday's games, Deric was third in the ACC in GAA, fourth in save percentage and second in shutouts.
