Aug. 31, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 1 North Carolina looks to carry the momentum of three straight preseason exhibition victories into its regular season opener Tuesday at 7 p.m. against UNC Asheville at Fetzer Field. The Tar Heels will play three games at home this week, as the annual Carolina Nike Classic is set for Friday and Sunday. Admission to all games is free of charge.

Carolina, ranked No. 1 nationally by Soccer America, defeated Georgetown, VCU and Old Dominion in the preseason by a 5-2 margin. Preseason All-America midfielder Stephen McCarthy led the Tar Heels with three goals in exhibition play.

UNC Asheville topped Catawba by a 3-1 margin last week in its lone preseason tune-up. The Tar Heels have won all nine meetings with the Bulldogs, including a 2-1 victory at Fetzer in 2008.

Tuesday's match opens a six-game homestand for UNC to open the season. The Tar Heels do not hit the road until a Sept. 25 rematch of the national title game at Maryland.

The Carolina Nike Classic with feature UNC, UNC Greensboro, Evansville and Northern Illinois. Action in the four-game event begins at 5 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday.