CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Midfielders Michael Farfan and Stephen McCarthy teamed up for a pair of first-half goals to lead No. 1 North Carolina to a 2-1 win over Old Dominion in its final preseason tune-up Thursday at Fetzer Field. McCarthy scored in the seventh and 31st minutes off corner kicks from Farfan.

With two goals against the Monarchs, McCarthy, who was named a preseason All-America by Soccer America earlier this week, wraps up the exhibition slate with three straight scores for the Tar Heels, including game-winners against VCU Aug. 23 and ODU Thursday night.

Senior Brooks Haggerty went the distance in goal for Carolina, allowing one goal and making three saves.  

McCarthy converted a header off a set piece for the second straight match when he hooked up with Farfan to give the Tar Heels an early lead with the first of his two goals. Farfan sent a corner kick from the right side to the near post, and McCarthy finished past ODU’s Evan Newton at the 6:21 mark.

After the Monarchs tied the score at one when Nick Foglesong tapped in a cross from Ambane Emmanuel at the right post at 29:18, Farfan once again found McCarthy just over a minute later to regain the lead for Carolina. After converting from the right side on the first score, Farfan sent a corner from the left to McCarthy, who headed home his third goal of the preseason, for a 2-1 Tar Heel lead at the 30:42 mark.

Qualify scoring chances were limited after intermission, as the teams combined for just nine shots. Haggerty made a key save with three minutes left, and ODU’s Jason Loizou sent one over the cross bar with two minutes left, as Carolina sealed the victory.

UNC outshot ODU by a 13-9 margin and took 13 corners to three for the Monarchs. Newton made six saves in goal for ODU.

Carolina, which wrapped up its exhibition slate with a 3-0-0 mark, outscored the opposition by a 5-2 margin in the preseason.  

The Tar Heels open the 2009 regular season Tuesday, Sept. 1 against UNC Asheville at 7 p.m. at Fetzer Field.


North Carolina 2, Old Dominion 1

ODU   1 – 0 – 1

UNC   2 – 0 – 2

 

Scoring Summary

1.      6:21 UNC Stephen McCarthy (Michael Farfan)

2.      29:18 ODU Nick Fogelsong (Ambane Emmanuel)

3.      30:42 UNC Stephen McCarthy (Michael Farfan)

 

Shots: North Carolina 13, ODU 9

Saves: ODU 6 (Evan Newton 6), North Carolina 3 (Brooks Haggerty 3)