University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Boast Record Three All-America Selections
December 11, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Dec. 11, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - For the first time in school history, the University of North Carolina placed three men's soccer student-athletes on the 2009 NSCAA/Performance Subaru Men's NCAA Division I All-America teams announced Friday by National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Senior midfielder Zach Loyd was a first-team pick, while junior midfielder Michael Farfan and sophomore forward Billy Schuler claimed third-team honors.
Carolina was one of three teams participating in this weekend's NCAA College Cup in Cary with three selections, joining Akron and Wake Forest. The Tar Heels have had multiple All-America picks in each of the last two years and five times in school history.
A Verdigris, Okla., product, Loyd is the Tar Heels' senior captain and has tallied two goals and two assists for six points in 16 games. Playing center back for the first time in his career due to injuries on the UNC backline, Loyd has anchored a defense that has posted 11 shutouts and allowed just 12 goals all season. Loyd, also a first-team All-ACC choice, was one of 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy and was selected to participate in next month's Major League Soccer Combine.
A first-team All-ACC pick, Farfan claims All-America honors in his first season at Carolina after transferring from Cal State Fullerton. The Wildomar, Calif., product has started all 21 games and is tied for third on the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists. He was a two-time ACC Player of the Week selection during the regular season.
Schuler is UNC's leading scorer with 23 points on nine goals and five assists, while starting all 21 games. The Allentown, N.J., product shares the ACC lead with seven game-winning goals and ranks seventh in the league in points and fifth in goals. Schuler was a first-team all-conference pick and was named national player of the week during the final week of the regular season.
The Tar Heels are back in action Friday against Akron in an NCAA College Cup semifinal match at 7:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park.
