University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC-Maryland Square Off Friday Night On ESPN3
September 12, 2013 | Men's Soccer
Friday, Sept. 13, 2013 • 7 p.m.
Chapel Hill, N.C. • Fetzer Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - One of the top rivalries in men's college soccer returns Friday when No. 2 North Carolina hosts No. 18 Maryland at Fetzer Field on ESPN3.
The two most successful programs in recent ACC history will square off for the 73rd time, but could be the final time as members of the same conference with Maryland leaving for the Big Ten next season.
Both clubs tied for the ACC regular season title in 2012 with an identical 6-1-1 league slate, and Maryland squeaked out a 2-1 victory in the ACC Tournament title game last fall.
The Terps hold a 45-23-4 advantage in the series, but UNC is 3-1-2 at home against Maryland since 2001.
Amazingly, for the first time since 2008, both clubs will not be ranked in the top-5 when going head-to-head, a span of four seasons and six games.
UNC (2-0-1, 0-0-1 ACC) is coming off a 1-1 draw at No. 4 Notre Dame last Sunday. Tyler Engel made it three goals in three games in his brief Tar Heel career. His goal in the 18th minute off an assist from Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler held up until the Irish found the equalizer in the 79th minute.
Maryland, the preseason favorite in the ACC, is off to a rocky start with losses already against Cal and VCU. The Terps did dispose of Duke, 3-1, last Friday at home to get its league schedule off on the right foot.
Maryland (1-2-1, 1-0-0 ACC) has scored 10 goals, but has allowed a league-leading 10 goals as well. Conversely, UNC has scored six markers, but has only allowed the single goal at Notre Dame.
UNC will play its next two matches on the road. First its a non-league tilt at Campbell on Tuesday, before heading to Virginia Tech on Friday night. Both are scheduled for 7 p.m.
UNC Season tickets are available for only $30. Each package includes admission to all 10 regular season home matches (40% off individual match price), an exclusive stadium seat cushion, a commemorative cup with free refills, and an additional voucher for free admission to one regular season UNC men's or women's soccer game. Order today online or call (800) 722-4335.
