Tar Heels Head To Wake Forest adidas Classic

September 6, 2007 | Men's Soccer

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Sept. 6, 2007

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After an 0-1-1 start to the season at the Carolina Nike Classic, North Carolina will face another weekend of stiff competition at the Wake Forest adidas Classic, which opens Friday. The Tar Heels (0-1-1) will square off against Bradley (2-0-0) at 5 p.m. Friday and No. 16 Akron (2-0-0) at noon Sunday. Top-ranked and host Wake Forest (2-0-0) rounds out the field.

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS
North Carolina is 1-0-0 all-time against Bradley with a win at the 1999 Diadora Creighton Classic. The Tar Heels are 1-0-1 in two meetings with Akron, including a victory in 2002 Carolina Nike Classic in Chapel Hill.

SUCCESS AT SPRY FOR HEELS
The Tar Heels are 4-0 in their last two trips to the Wake Forest adidas Classic at Spry Stadium, shutting out William & Mary and Central Florida a year ago and posting wins over top-10 foes St. John's and Connecticut in 2003. All-time, Carolina is 10-4 in seven trips to the Demon Deacons' home tourney since 1989.

TAR HEELS DISPLAY YOUTH
UNC put its youthful roster on display in the first games of the 2007 season with three freshmen (Cameron Brown, Daniel Choi and Tyler Deric) and two transfers (Joan Carvajal and Ryan Adeleye) seeing their first action in Carolina Blue. With redshirts Ryan Johnson and David Rodriguez also tasting their first collegiate action, seven of the 16 Tar Heels to see the pitch last weekend were newcomers for head coach Elmar Bolowich.

OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES TO OPEN
Despite outshooting its opponents, 29-14, and holding a 15-8 edge in corner kicks, North Carolina scored just once in the two matches at last weekend's Carolina Nike Classic. The Tar Heels had two goals disallowed due to offside calls in the loss to Monmouth and scored late in the first half versus Old Dominion thanks to a Cameron Brown goal. Dating to the end of the 2006 season, the Tar Heels have scored just twice in their last eight games.

DERIC'S DEBUT IS STRONG
With expected starter Brooks Haggerty sidelined following knee surgery, freshman goalkeeper Tyler Deric played well in his first collegiate action last weekend. He owns a 0.90 goals against average and made five saves, including four in the tie with No. 20 Old Dominion.

ABABIO, LOYD SHIFT TO THE BACK
After playing in mainly attacking roles last season, sophomores Eddie Ababio and Zach Loyd are starting at the outside back position for the Tar Heels. With his fleet footwork, Ababio was a natural fit for the role that Michael Harrington excelled at over the last two years - an offensive minded defender. Loyd's versatility made him a candidate for the back with Eric Lichaj's departure for Aston Villa.

SHERARD, BROWN HONORED
Senior defender Andre Sherard and freshman midfielder Cameron Brown were named to the all-tournament team at the Carolina Nike Classic last weekend. Sherard anchored a new-look defensive line that surrendered just 14 shots and eight corners, while Brown was a spark off the bench and scored the Tar Heels' lone goal of the weekend.

EXHIBITION OUTBURST
The Tar Heels' seven goals in exhibition play against Davidson and UNC Asheville matched their output in their final eight games of the 2006 season. Sophomores Bill Dworsky and Ryan Johnson shared the team scoring lead with two goals each. Dworsky found the back of the net twice against Davidson, while Johnson scored one goal in each match.