University of North Carolina Athletics
Schuler's Return A Boost For The Tar Heels
September 21, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2011
To start the season, UNC men's soccer player Billy Schuler was the ACC and national player of the week. He scored in the Tar Heels' first three games, including the winning goal late against then-No. 1 Louisville at Fetzer Field on Sept. 4.
The best news for the fourth-ranked Tar Heels, now in the midst of conference play: Schuler is still working his way back to full speed.
"He's still kind of finding his feet," UNC coach Carlos Somoano said. "And that's a scary thing, because he's doing very well. He's only going to get better."
Schuler has been excellent for the Tar Heels in his junior season, his fourth season with the program. He played just two games a year ago before aggravating a shoulder injury suffered in preseason. The rehab was not quick (six months), and the adjustment to college game conditions was difficult at first.
ut a player as aggressive as Schuler hasn't let a little rust slow him down. He's picked up just where he left off two seasons ago, when he scored seven game-winning goals, was named first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America and helped the Tar Heels to the College Cup.
This season, Schuler has five goals, including three game-winners in the first six games. It's a good feeling, contributing again for the 6-1 Tar Heels, after having September surgery and having to watch so much of last season.
"It was obviously very hard," Schuler said. "At first, it's like, you're OK with it, you accept everything. But the middle of the season, it catches up with you. It's very difficult not to have any influence on anything during the game."
The Tar Heels fared well without him, making a repeat trip to the College Cup. But Somoano and his players are happy to have Schuler back, even the ones who hadn't played with him previously in light blue.
"I knew he was a good player, and I love playing with him. I knew coming here that I'd be able to link up with him," said junior transfer Ben Speas, who competed against Schuler while playing for Akron and played with him on club teams.
Somoano has a vivid recollection of seeing Schuler play for the first time, at a tournament in Orlando.
"The first thing that was very striking to us immediately was his mobility off the ball," Somoano said. "He made very, very good runs off the ball, he was very active without the ball. His work rate and determination just pulled your eyes right to him. It was a pretty easy pick."
For Schuler, attending UNC was also an easy choice. He wanted to graduate high school early and enter college in the spring semester, and UNC was receptive to that idea.
Plus, Schuler grew up a basketball fan, and his favorite team was the 2005 Tar Heels, who won the NCAA title.
"I loved watching all those guys," Schuler said. "(Raymond) Felton was ridiculous, so quick. (Rashad) McCants kinda had that attitude, but he was such a fun player to watch, and (Sean) May was humongous. They were just awesome."
At the time, Schuler was 15. He was just beginning to learn about the Tar Heels' tradition in men's soccer.
"It (went from) something that's just out there to, now it's kinda possible. With everything they offered, it was kind of a no-brainer."
Schuler will have a decision to make after this season. He is scheduled to graduate in December, and professional soccer is a stated goal. Whether he goes that route in a few months or returns to UNC for a fifth year, his time in Chapel Hill has passed quickly.
"You can't explain it to the younger guys," Schuler said. "You can't appreciate it until you experience it. It goes by so fast."
Opponents could say the same about Schuler's on-field movement, which should only get better.
