Oct. 27, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Freshman Kirk Urso has helped generate scoring all season for the Tar Heels with six assists to lead the team in that category. He also scored his first collegiate goal in the early September game against UCLA. The midfielder from Illinois came to Carolina with international experience that has helped him contribute immediately as a rookie. Urso recently took time to answer a few questions for TarHeelBlue.com.

TarHeelBlue.com: What is your favorite UNC soccer moment?
Kirk Urso: My favorite UNC soccer moment was actually just a few weeks ago when we beat Duke at their place. It's one of those moments I know I'll remember for a long time. It was good to see the great fan support from our school for an away game. Also, I felt our team took a huge step forward that game.

THB.com: Why did you choose UNC?
KU: I chose UNC for two reasons, one being the education that is available and the other being the style of soccer our coaches encourage us to play. It's attractive football.

THB.com: What was your experience playing for the U-20 team in Ireland like? KU: Obviously whenever you get to represent your country in a sport so popular worldwide, it is an honor and a privilege. It was good to leave Ireland with more international experience, to compete at that level and to gain some more knowledge from different coaches. Plus I got to beat Belgium again, the team that I scored my goal against for the U.S. in the Under-17 World Cup, so it brought back some good memories.

THB.com: What's the best thing about being a Tar Heel?
KU: There are great people on this campus that are all willing to help you out, and they all want to see you succeed on and off the field. It's a great school. But being from Chicago and a pretty big basketball fan, who grew up with Michael Jordan winning championships, the best thing has to be being at the same place where Air Jordan's talent really took off.

THB.com: Where is your favorite place to eat on Franklin Street?
KU: Probably Panera Bread. That soup is going to start calling my name more often now that it's getting colder outside.

THB.com: What are you going to be for Halloween?
KU: I'm going to be me, in a hotel, because we have a very important game the next day.

THB.com: What are the team's goals for the remainder of the season? What is the team doing to achieve those goals?
KU: There are certain goals that we have set, but right now it is more about focusing on each practice and game and utilizing every moment we have to get better.

THB.com: Who is the funniest member of the team? Why?
KU: Funniest guy, huh. I can think of a few that seem funny for different reasons, but none really deliberately try to be funny. J.P. (Davis) and Brooks (Haggerty) crack me up, and then there's (Chris) Lebo, who has some priceless remarks. But for me the funniest, on purpose, has got to be Ryan. He says things that a lot of people don't really get at first, but then when you think about what he said, it's very funny.

THB.com: What is your favorite class at Carolina?
KU: Deutsche ist sehr gut.