The North Carolina men’s soccer team is no stranger to the College Cup.
But in a 2-0 quarterfinal win against St. Mary’s (Calif.) on Saturday, it was a couple of newcomers that helped the Tar Heels seal their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA semifinals.
Although they have participated in the final weekend of the season for four straight years now, the Tar Heels haven’t claimed the title since 2001.
But this season, the stars could be aligned just right for the Tar Heels.
“Every team is different every year,” captain Kirk Urso said. “But this is a special team this year, in regards to every team we’ve had in the past.”
Compared to last year’s team, the 2011 Tar Heels look much different. Not only does UNC have a healthy Billy Schuler, who has led the team with 15 goals this season, the Tar Heels also have two transfer players in the starting line up.
And it was that pair of brand new Tar Heels that made the difference Saturday.
After a scoreless first half, it was Butler transfer Matt Hedges, the 6-foot-4-inch defender, who broke the tie in the 53rd minute, in the manner he has been most dangerous this season — a header off an Urso corner kick.
The two had nearly missed a link up on the previous play, similar to the number of close calls in the first half.