Carrieri Extends Scoring Hot Streak

The junior forward scored the game-winning goal in five of the men's soccer team's first seven matches.

Then UNC (12-2, 3-1 in the ACC) lost to No. 8 Virginia on Sept. 24. Although Carrieri assisted his squad's only goal, he was contained by a leg injury and a tough Cavalier defense.

But Carrieri has been back in full throttle ever since the UVa. game - the No. 6 Tar Heels' last loss.

Carrieri continued his hot streak at this weekend's Spartan Classic at UNC-Greensboro, scoring five goals and tallying three assists in victories against Dartmouth and Rider. He was named to the all-tournament team.

In the six games since the UVa. loss, Carrieri has netted nine goals and dished out six assists.

"The last six games were a tough stretch for us," Carrieri said. "I knew we had to pick it up a notch."

Carrieri picked it up several notches Sunday, totaling three goals and three assists in an 11-0 drubbing of Rider.

The first-team All-ACC striker from Stafford, Va., was all over the field throughout the match, disrupting a constantly harried Broncs' defense.

Carrieri scored his first goal in the game's 16th minute to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead. He collected a cross from Michael Bucy and fired a low-lining shot past Rider goalkeeper Brian Gill.

"The ball was in a good position in the air, and I just kind of swung at it and tried to hit it low corner, and luckily it came off my boot right," Carrieri said.

He showed off his speed on his second goal, racing past Broncs defender Steve Jackson to the right side of the

18-yard box on a long ball from Eddie Robinson. Carrieri headed the ball forward to control it and beat Gill to the far post in the 24th minute.

In the 56th minute, he displayed his one-on-one skills. After dribbling through the right side of the goalie box, Carrieri was cut off by Rider's defense. He touched the ball back with his right foot, spun to his right and left-footed the ball to the top far corner, past Broncs reserve goalie Frank de'Latour.

Although the weekend's matches were against relatively weaker opponents in comparison to UNC's ACC foes, they underscored Carrieri's ability to fill up a box score.

"He works so hard, and it pays off in games like today," UNC's Matt Crawford said Sunday. "Even in bigger games, he gets his goals. He's a big player."

Carrieri continues to build his All-America case. He has nine assists to go with his ACC-leading 17 goals, both of which are career highs. His 43 points this season have surpassed his previous high total by 14 points.

But his season has not been without frustration. At the start of the year, coach Elmar Bolowich criticized the team for its inability to finish its chances in front of the net.

In the Sept. 6 game against Campbell, Carrieri was a picture of inefficiency. He peppered goalie Billy Englishby with seven shots, and not one found nylon.

"Although he had his goals early in the season, he still struggled with finishing," Bolowich said. "And he worked on that. It got into his head, and he said, `Well, I've got to do a better job.'"

If Sunday is any sign, Carrieri is improving. His three goals came on his only three shots of the match, which also could be an indication of better chances for UNC's No. 3 all-time leading scorer.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Carrieri's offensive explosion has come with his team's improved performance.

"The guys were giving me great passes," Carrieri said, "and that's not something I've had for a long time."

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