North Carolina
Virginia
North Carolina Captures ACC Men's Soccer Title
November 12, 2000 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 12, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- North Carolina senior forward Caleb Norkus scored the game-winning goal just 13 seconds in the overtime frame as the Tar Heels defeated Virginia 1-0 in the finals of the ACC Championship game at Spry Stadium on Sunday. The title is the first for North Carolina since 1987.
The Tar Heels and Cavaliers played 90 minutes with no decision in a balanced game. Through regulation, UNC held a 16-15 edge in shots and a 5-4 lead in corner kicks. During the game, both teams had several chances to take the lead but David Comfort and Michael Ueltschy, the respective goalkeepers for Virginia and North Carolina, kept their opponents at bay.
North Carolina head coach Elmar Bolowich was ecstatic with his team's performance. "I thought it was exactly what we expected from this final to be, which was a hard fought match, two wonderful teams playing each other, excitement in terms of scoring chances unfortunately not resulting in more goals. Certainly we were on the lucky side of things capitalizing right away in overtime. It was wonderful to have two of our seniors combine to score the game-winning goal."
Virginia head coach George Gelnovatch said he was proud of his team's performance but "it was a disappointing loss, I feel like I was in this seat this time last year feeling the exact same way. I do not know how else to say it, I know our guys are just disappointed."
Norkus was named the tournament's most valuable player. He was joined by teammates Michael Bucy, Michael Ueltschey, Chris Carrieri and David Stokes. Virginia's Kyle Martino, Ryan Gibbs, Jonathan Cole, Wake Forest's Will Hesmer, Duke's Robert Russell and Clemson's Ian Fuller rounded out the all-tournament team.
With the win, North Carolina earns the Atlantic Coast Conference's automatic bid for the NCAA tournament. Pairings for the tournament will be announced on Monday at 3:30 p.m. The NCAA tournament selection show will air live on Home Team Sports, Fox Sports South and the Sunshine Network.
1 2 OT - F Virginia 0 0 0 - 0 North Carolina 0 0 1 - 1
Scoring: UNC Norkus (Bucy) 90:13
Shots: North Carolina 17, Virginia 15
Saves: North Carolina 8, Virginia 7
Corner Kicks: North Carolina 5, Virginia 4
Fouls: North Carolina 11, Virginia 21
