North Carolina
Davidson
Defenders Pace No. 3 Carolina Past Davidson
October 22, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2003
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Tar Heel defense posted its eighth shutout of the season, and a pair of defenders combined to score the lone goal of the match, as the No. 3 North Carolina men's soccer team (11-1-3, 2-1-1 ACC) picked up its first road win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Davidson (9-4-2, 4-1 SoCon) Wednesday. The win extended Carolina's unbeaten streak to eight matches.
At the 27:25 mark junior Tim Merritt provided all the offense the Tar Heels would need, as he netted his fourth score of the season off a free kick from 45 yards out by classmate and fellow defender Ray Fumo. The goal came on the Tar Heels' lone shot of the first half, as Davidson outshot Carolina, 3-1, in the opening period.
The game-winning goal was the second of the season for Merritt, who also had the only score in a 1-0 win over Michigan Sept. 12. Merritt is now third on the team with four goals this season, and his nine points also rank third on the squad.
Sophomore Ford Williams went the distance in goal for the Tar Heels and made three saves to pick up his fifth shutout of the season. Carolina has allowed just two goals in its last seven matches.
Despite the lack of offensive opportunities in the first half, UNC outshot the Wildcats, 11-10, on the night, on the strength of a 10-7 margin in the second frame.
With the victory, the Tar Heels are now 1-1-3 on the road this season. Davidson defeated Carolina 1-0 in Chapel Hill last season in what stands as the last lost for the Tar Heels at Fetzer Field.
Carolina was without junior forward Marcus Storey, who sat out due to the red card he received at NC State Oct. 19. Storey shares the UNC scoring lead (15 points) with freshman Jamie Watson.
The Tar Heels return to Atlantic Coast Conference action at Wake Forest Saturday. The meeting of two of the nation's top five teams is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Scoring: 1. UNC - Tim Merritt (Ray Fumo), 27:25 Goals: Tim Merritt (UNC) Assists: Ray Fumo (UNC) Goalie Stats: Ford Williams (UNC): 0 goals allowed, 3 saves, 90 minutes; art Creasman (DC), 1 goal allowed, 6 saves, 90 minutes Shots: UNC 11, DC 10 Yellow Cards: Nahum Navas (DC), 71:30 Attendance: 2,353Score by Halves Team 1 2 Final No. 3 UNC 1 0 1 DC 0 0 0
