Colonials end UNC's season

With just under three minutes to go in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, North Carolina men's soccer team senior Tim Merritt took a shot from the top of the penalty box.

George Washington goalkeeper Derek Biss stopped it, and Merritt's head collapsed into his hands, knowing his shot was probably the last chance the Tar Heels would have as they fell 1-0 to the Colonials on Friday night at Fetzer Field.

George Washington struck early, as Frank Ambrosio put a header past UNC goalie Ford Williams in the second minute.

Williams stopped the ball just around the goal line, and while he seemed to think he saved the ball, the sideline referee had a different opinion.

"The ball was out wide, left hand side, crossed in, flicked on," Williams said. "We had someone going up man to man on the backpost, ball came down, bounced, touched it, got the ball before it crossed the line, started my distribution, whistle blew. That's the game."

Merritt also disagreed with the referee's decision on the early goal.

"No way (it crossed the line)," he said.

The early goal seemed to shock the Tar Heels, and it gave GW a much-needed confidence boost.

While UNC was unable to net the elusive game-tying goal, it certainly wasn't because of a lack of chances.

Early in the first half, UNC midfielder Blake Beach took a header off a corner kick and put it toward the near post.

As they were all night, the Colonials were in the right position, as a defender used his head to record a team save and stop what would have been a certain goal.

"You saw all these bounces in the box, and no matter how hard we tried, some guys were maybe a little bit uptight instead of being relaxed," said UNC coach Elmar Bolowich. "It was a big game for us, and we are a young team. We try to keep everything calm, but the nerves still get to you."

Down 1-0 starting the second half, the Tar Heels came out playing like it was their last 45 minutes of the season.

UNC launched a constant barrage of offense against George Washington but was unable to score the equalizer.

Merritt hit the post early in the second half, and UNC was unable to convert on any of its 17 shots.

The Tar Heels had 15 corner kicks, compared to just three for George Washington.

"On the corner kicks, some of them we rushed them a bit too much," Bolowich said. "On the shots, we were just not fortunate enough."

The loss marked the end of both a disappointing season for the Tar Heels and the collegiate careers for seniors Merritt, Marcus Storey, Ray Fumo and Andrew Rhea.

UNC began the season ranked in the top 10 in many national polls, but it was unable to back up the preseason hype.

Merritt, who played on the 2001 national championship squad, seemed stunned that his career at North Carolina had come to a close.

"It's been the biggest pleasure of my life playing here at Carolina," Merritt said. "(I) couldn't have dreamed a better school to be at and to play soccer for."

And despite a disappointing ending to a disappointing season, Bolowich said he felt nothing but pride in the way his team represented itself all season.

"Our team did very well," he said. "I'm very pleased with our guys, with the kind of effort they put in. We can leave with our heads up high. It was just not meant to be tonight."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.