North Carolina
Clemson
No. 6 Carolina Upset By Clemson, 1-0
November 1, 2003 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The sixth-ranked North Carolina men's soccer team lost its first home match of the season Saturday, falling to Clemson, 1-0, at Fetzer Field. The defeat snapped a 14-match unbeaten streak at home for the Tar Heels (11-3-3, 2-3-1 ACC), who last lost on their home turf Sept. 7, 2002, to Davidson.
The Tigers (8-7-2, 2-4 ACC) claimed a 1-0 lead at the 37:04 mark of the first half on a goal from Charlie Roberts and kept the Tar Heels off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Clemson's Brad Gibson started the play off a corner kick, and Roberts finished it with a header at the near post past Tar Heel keeper Justin Hughes. The goal was the third of the season for Roberts.
Carolina had a chance at the equalizer in the 42nd minute, but Clemson goalie Phil Marfuggi made a diving kick save on a shot from Tar Heel forward Marcus Storey. Marfuggi also made a save on a point blank shot from freshman midfielder Ted Odgers at 28:17. Despite the Tiger goal, the first half was fairly even, as each team attempted five shots.
After the intermission, UNC controlled play but was unable to find the back of the net. In the second half, the Tar Heels outshot the Tigers, 6-1, for an 11-6 margin on the night. Carolina had two strong chances to knot the score at one in the final five minutes of the match but the Tigers got a back save on a Jamie Watson shot, and Tar Heel rookie Michael Harrington sent a ball just over the cross bar in the 88th minute.
The loss marked the first for the Tar Heels with Hughes in goal. He made one save on the night, while Marfuggi made four stops. UNC has lost two in a row for the first time since Sept. 7-13, 2002.
Carolina falls into a fourth-place tie with NC State in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings and will face the Wolfpack in the opening round on the ACC Tournament, which is slated for Nov. 12, 14 and 16 at SAS Stadium in Cary. The Tar Heels close out the regular season Saturday, Nov. 8 at South Carolina.
Scoring: 1. CU - Charlie Roberts (Brad Gibson), 37:04 Goals: Charlie Roberts (CU) Assists: Brad Gibson (CU) Goalie Stats: Justin Hughes (UNC): 1 goal allowed, 1 save, 90 minutes; Phil Marfuggi (CU): 0 goals allowed, 4 saves, 90 minutes Shots: Carolina 11, Clemson 6 Yellow Cards: Paul Sonders (CU), 44:34; James Georgeff (CU), 79:54; Landy Mattison (CU), 83:23 Attendance: 2,642Score by Halves Team 1 2 Final CLEMSON 1 0 1 No. 6 UNC 0 0 0
