Oct. 23, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - A consensus top-10 squad for the first time this season, No. 7 North Carolina looks to extend a three-match winning streak when it travels to Clemson's Riggs Field for a 7 p.m. Saturday start. The Tar Heels (11-2-1, 3-2-0) have been off since a 3-2 win over Virginia Tech Oct. 18, while the Tigers (4-7-2, 2-3-1) are coming off a 2-1 loss at Furman Tuesday.

Ranked seventh in three of the four major polls and eighth in the other, Carolina entered the week as the nation's second highest-scoring offense with 36 goals through 14 games. The Tar Heels, who have posted their most wins through 14 games since 2001, have scored nine times over their three-match winning streak and been held under two goals on just four occasions this season.

Senior forward Brian Shriver opened the week tied for third nationally with 12 goals this season. He has teamed with fellow forwards Eddie Ababio (seven goals) and Alex Dixon (five goals) to account for two-thirds of the Tar Heels' scoring attack.

Defensively, UNC relies on a veteran backline paced by seniors Ryan Adeleye and Jordan Graye, as well as junior Zach Loyd and freshman Sheannon Williams. Senior keeper Jacob Wescoe sports a 0.75 goals against average and three shutouts.

Clemson is paced offensively by Michael Brooks, who leads the squad with 11 points on five goals and one assist. The Tigers have scored 15 times on the season, while yielding 23 goals.

Carolina trails its all-time series with the Tigers, 26-19-6, but the Tar Heels have won four of the last five meetings, including a 3-2 win at Fetzer Field a year ago. Clemson took the last meeting at Riggs, 1-0, in 2006.