Sports - The Daily Tar Heel

Field Hockey, Men's Soccer Score Road Victories

Aug. 27, 2001

The North Carolina field hockey team opened its season Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 win against Connecticut in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The game was a homecoming for UNC senior midfielder Abby Martin, who is from Saratoga Springs. She scored the Tar Heels' first goal 26:02 into the first half. Martin, a third-team All-American, scored on a penalty stroke. Senior Abbey Woolley scored the second goal on an assist from freshman Charlotte Plugge with 8:03 left in the first half.

Lack of Fitness Leads to Women's Soccer Loss

By Kelly Lusk | Aug. 27, 2001

Certain members of the North Carolina women's soccer team spent too much time this summer sitting on their couches eating bonbons, said UNC coach Anson Dorrance. And in the top-ranked, defending national champion Tar Heels' 1-0 loss to No. 5 Nebraska, UNC's lack of fitness was apparent and crippling. "One of the things we weren't happy with coming into the preseason was our fitness base," Dorrance said. "They exposed that."

Unit Hopes Preseason Meetings Pay Off

By Rachel Carter | Aug. 24, 2001

Jeff Reed knows exactly what John Lafferty's going through. In fact, he feels pretty much like they're in the same position. Reed, a senior kicker, had never kicked a game in Kenan Stadium before 2000 but came into that season knowing he was The Guy. Lafferty's 2000 involved fighting for punting time against Blake Ferguson. He started three games before mononucle-osiscut his season short. Ferguson was slated to be the starter opening day, but abruptly left the program and the University on Aug. 12.

UVa. Graduate Groh Returns to Guide Cavs

By Brad Broders | Aug. 24, 2001

No matter how much he tries to downplay it, Al Groh has returned home to Virginia. Groh, who graduated in Charlottesville in 1967 after a career at UVa. at defensive end, moves from the AFC East sidelines to ACC pastures. In the Cavaliers, Groh inherits a 6-6 squad that must replace key offensive and defensive losses. "We have an adage that `think players first, then plays,'" Groh said. "So whatever the particular skills of the players are and how quickly they pick things up will determine how fast we can move forward."

Response to Losing Will Define UNC's Season

By Mike Ogle | Aug. 24, 2001

North Carolina fans can mark Sept. 29 on their calendars. Not because it's the Tar Heels' annual rumble with rival N.C. State, but because it marks the end of the hell that will be the season's first five weeks and the start of UNC's real season. The Tar Heels butt heads with three of the nation's top six teams in those five weeks. How they handle getting their asses handed to them every other week will define their 2001 campaign.

Tar Heels Short on Depth at Quarterback

By James Giza | Aug. 24, 2001

SportSaturday Editor North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry is keeping an optimistic outlook on the season and his personal health. "Hopefully, I can play the whole season," said Curry, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon and missed the final six games of the 1999 season. "I'm playing for the team, not really playing for everybody else. I'm just going to do what the coaches ask. Everything's not going to be smooth sailing, so I've got to go out and do the best I can do."

Tech Within Reach of Top of Conference

Aug. 24, 2001

Assistant SportSaturday Editor Georgia Tech has its best shot in years to win the ACC title. But a bowl game and one knee injury later, the Yellow Jackets (9-3 overall, 6-2 in the ACC) almost lost the momentum in 2001 to chase down ACC powerhouse Florida State. Tech lost last season's Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl game to Louisiana State, and starting quarterback George Godsey hurt his knee in the defeat. He missed spring practice, but he is back and expected to lead the Yellow Jackets again.

Grobe Looks to Return Wake to Postseason

By Brad Broders | Aug. 24, 2001

Though no computer malfunctions rocked Wake Forest in 2000, the Demon Deacon football squad was nonetheless mired in a season-long blackout. After reaching the Aloha Bowl in 1999, Wake Forest was dealt the hand of inexperience in 2000. After quarterback C.J. Leak went down with a knee injury, the offense sputtered with an unseasoned backfield. The result was a disappointing 2-9 finish and the dismissal of coach Jim Caldwell. Twenty-one starters return to join a new coaching staff headed by former Ohio frontman Jim Grobe.

Sooner Crowd, `D' Await Tar Heels

By James Giza | Aug. 24, 2001

Oklahoma's offensive line is a trouble spot for the Sooners, but their defense is among the nation's best. Game and time: North Carolina at No. 3 Oklahoma. Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. EST. Site: Memorial Stadium. TV/radio: ESPN will televise the game nationally. The Tar Heel Sports Network will provide live radio coverage; its flagship station is WCHL1360 AM. Records: Season opener for both teams. Series: Oklahoma leads 6-0. Personnel update: North Carolina -- PK Jeff Reed (sprained ankle) is questionable. Oklahoma -- None reported.

Senior Metts Guides Young Offensive Line

By Brad Broders | Aug. 24, 2001

Senior center Adam Metts anchors an inexperienced offensive line filled with four sophomores. By Brad Broders Assistant Sports Editor Senior center Adam Metts' tasks on the offensive line go way beyond snapping the football to quarterback Ronald Curry. It even goes beyond protecting Curry himself. Metts, the lone senior on North Carolina's offensive line, is also left the challenge of helping mentor the rest of Tar Heels' line, which is projected to start four sophomores.

Maryland Looks to Rebound

By Ian Gordon | Aug. 24, 2001

Assistant Sports Editor Maryland finally got its man to lead the team out of its storied football medi-ocrity. Now Ralph Friedgen just needs the players to make old dreams a reality. The architect of a potent attack while offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, Friedgen is sure to open up the historically conservative, run-oriented Terrapins. Whether or not that will lead to more wins remains to be seen. The reliability of Maryland's defense will also be an issue throughout Friedgen's first season as head coach in College Park.

Rowing to Hold Interest Meeting Sunday

Aug. 24, 2001

The information session is open to all undergraduate women, including those without any prior experience. The North Carolina women's rowing program will hold an information meeting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday for prospective members of the varsity team. All undergraduate women interested in trying out for the team are invited to attend the session, which will be held in 100 Hamilton Hall.

Long Year in Store for Duke

By Brad Broders | Aug. 24, 2001

Assistant Sports Editor Disgraceful. Awful. Pathetic. All would be proper adjectives when discussing Duke football in 2000. Limping through their sixth consecutive losing campaign, the Blue Devils did little to help abate their offensive and defensive woes. They were outscored 430-155. They scored above 14 points only four times and allowed at least 20 points every game. They finished 0-11 overall and 0- 8 in the ACC.

Seminoles Hope to Avoid Topple From Top

By Ian Gordon | Aug. 24, 2001

The oft-sowed seeds of revolution are still waiting to take root. Since Florida State became an ACC football team in 1992, the rest of the league's football teams have been biding their time, waiting for a chance to rebel and oust Tallahassee's titans from the top of the conference. Sometimes it's a key injury that gives the others hope. Other times, it's a Seminole loss during the regular season.

Meet The Director

By Rachel Carter | Aug. 24, 2001

Dec. 11, 2000, North Carolina faithful finally met the man charged with resurrecting its fallen football program. The faithful knew UNC used to be something. For the younger, memories of 1997 lingered, swirling in the backs of their minds as they watched North Carolina's football team limp to 3-8 and 6-5 seasons under Carl Torbush in 1999 and 2000.

Peppers Not Alone on Line

By James Giza | Aug. 24, 2001

A nickname exists that could suit North Carolina's defensive line very well, although it might not put the fear of God into any opposing offenses this season: Julius and the three other guys. It's not exactly the Fearsome Foursome, but when you've got a player like junior Julius Peppers on your line, an equitable moniker can be hard to come by.

Clemson Needs to Overcome Crucial Losses

Aug. 24, 2001

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden is heavily involved in his team's offensive play-calling, but he might focus more of his attention on defense this season. The Tigers (9-3 overall, 6-2 in the ACC last season) are without Keith Adams, last year's defensive leader, who opted to leave early for the NFL. But despite losing its main defensive threat, Clemson has been picked by the ACC media to finish third in the conference behind Florida State and Georgia Tech.

Depth Questionable at LB

By Rachel Carter | Aug. 24, 2001

Thirty years ago, North Carolina had an intense linebacker who once made 20 tackles in a game against Notre Dame. The Irish aren't on UNC's schedule this year, but first-year North Carolina coach John Bunting expects his line-backers to show the same kind of tenacity as he did way back when. Although he hasn't gone specifically to his starting three linebackers -- David Thornton, Quincy Monk and Merceda Perry -- to talk about his glory days at one of UNC's traditionally strong positions, Bunting still expects big things out of his guys.

Bells Ring in Another Year of UNC Doubts

By Mike Ogle | Aug. 24, 2001

North Carolina's players might want to consider wearing wedding veils instead of helmets this season. They have everything a bride needs -- plenty of old, plenty of new and Carolina blue. As veteran stars Ronald Curry and Julius Peppers try to end their collegiate careers with a bang, their new coaching staff will be eager to get off to a good start at UNC. However, the schedule and lingering questions could make for a rocky honeymoon. Something Old

Tight Ends Focus On Better Blocking

By James Giza | Aug. 24, 2001

Last season, the North Carolina football team talked about throwing to its tight ends more frequently, and the plan never really came to fruition. Chances are, it won't happen again this season. And with good reason. Gone are Alge Crumpler and Dauntae Finger, who formed one of the more formidable tight end tandems in the conference and are now in the NFL. Left to fill their gaps is a pair of guys who have played mostly special teams, a walk-on and a freshman recruited as an offensive lineman.