Sunday was a day of firsts for the North Carolina men's soccer team.
UNC allowed its first goal at home this season, the Tar Heels committed more fouls than their opponent for the first time this year and freshman Brian Shriver notched his first career points on a first half goal in a win against Old Dominion.
Shriver, a highly touted recruit from Florida, has seen time in all of the Tar Heels games this season, providing them a dangerous offensive weapon off the bench.
"(Shriver's) coming along," UNC head coach Elmar Bolowich said. "I like what I see. He's extremely mobile. He has courage, he makes the runs behind the defense, asks for the ball. I like what I see in him being a freshman."
With the game deadlocked at 0, fellow freshman Stephen Bickford brought the ball down the sideline and sent a low cross through the penalty box to a wide open Shriver who tapped it home to give the Tar Heels an important 1-0 lead.
"Bickford dribbled down the line and I saw him look up and I made the run and he played a perfect ball and I just hit it in," Shriver said.
Shriver and Bickford, along with fellow newcomers Michael Callahan and Scott Campbell have provided the Tar Heels with a boost so far this year.
"You look at the first half, the freshman connection, Shriver and Bickford," said junior Corey Ashe. There's a connection everywhere, the chemistry is great."
Not only did Shriver show finesse with his goal, but he also showed that he isn't afraid to play physically on the college level.
