University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Add Transfer For 2011 Campaign
June 20, 2011 | Men's Soccer
June 20, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Head men's soccer coach Carlos Somoano announced the addition of Akron transfer Ben Speas for the 2011 season. Speas appeared in 50 games as a freshman and sophomore in the midfield for the Zips and will have two years of eligibility.
Speas appeared in 25 games, with four starts, a year ago as he helped lead Akron to the 2011 NCAA Championship. The Stow, Ohio, native tallied a pair of goals on the season to go along with three assists. Speas netted the game-winner against Western Michigan Oct. 23.
As a freshman during the 2009 season, Speas earned a cap in all 25 games earning College Cup All-Tournament Team honors. He made a pair of starts in the NCAA College Cup, including one against the Tar Heels in the semifinal contest logging 95 minutes in the scoreless draw.
Speas earned College Soccer News Freshman Top 100 honors after being named the 11th-ranked prospect by Top Drawer Soccer coming out of high school. He was a two-time NSCAA prep All-America and was a member of the U20, U18 and U17 squads.
Carolina opens the 2011 season on August 19 with an exhibition contest at Coastal Carolina before officially opening the season August 27 against in-state foe UNC Wilmington.
