Bic's View: Va Tech 1-2 UNC (9/29) & UNC 3-3 High Point (10/3)

The Tar Heels travelled to Blacksburg on Friday where they eeked out a 2-1 ACC road victory at altitude against Virginia Tech. UNC responded to an early Hokies goal when Bill Dworsky volleyed in a Ben Hunter free kick in the 23rd minute. The Tar Heels found the winner with 16 minutes to play when Ted Odgers converted from the spot after a penalty drawn by Michael Callahan. As thrilled as the Tar Heels were with a road ACC victory, they were brought back down to earth on Tuesday as they only managed a 3-3 draw against High Point University. After conceding an early goal, Michael Callahan and Zach Loyd gave the Tar Heels a temporary lead, but were forced to rely on a late equalizer from Eddie Ababio after High Point struck for two goals within a minute just past the hour mark. Although the Tar Heels managed 29 shots on goal through 110 minutes, they couldn't overcome the 3 goals allowed.

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TSF: After tallying only 3 pts (1g, 1a) in 23 matches as a Freshman, Sophmore Michael Callahan has exploded as a scoring threat for the Tar Heels with 10pts (4g, 2a) in 13 games. You've been a teammates of Michael's dating back to club and high school play in Cary. Can you tell us a little about Callahan's style of play and what he brings to the Tar Heels?

Bic: Cally is a very hard working and tenacious midfielder. He has wonderful passing ability and he has proven this year that he's a good finisher as well. He has played a very important role so far in his career, and he only has more to offer us as he gains more experience.

TSF: With Callahan leading the scoring and midfielder Scott Campbell just behind him on 9pts, it seems the Tar Heels are getting most of their goal production out of the midfield rather than the strikers. Is this surprising to you or is a more a function of the style of play the Tar Heels employ?

Bic: It doesn't really matter where the goals are coming from. With our style of play we like to get the midfielders very involved in the attack, and I think that is illustrated by the amount of goals our midfield has scored this year.

TSF: Coming off a conference road victory in Blacksburg the team had to be feeling pretty good, but a draw against unfancied High Point at home on Tuesday had to be a shock to the system. What went wrong and how do you fix it before the showdown with Maryland?

Bic: The biggest problem with that match is the fact that we allowed three goals. Whenever you concede that many goals you will have a tough time winning the match, regardless of your opponent.

TSF: You had an assist on the second goal for the Tar Heels against High Point. Can you walk us through the play?

Bic: Corey Ashe made a great run down the line and drilled a low ball into the box. I stretched to control the ball and managed to lay off a pass to Zach Loyd who finished superbly.

TSF: In an earlier interview, you mentioned the spirited support that the Terrapins always get. With a huge match against Maryland on Friday night, how important to team is that the Tar Heels faithful turn out and provide the same level of home support for the team in this pivotal ACC match?

Bic: We have made a big deal out of this match all over campus. We've even employed advertising on popular college website Facebook.com. (Facebook is roughly the college equivalent to Myspace). Through facebook we sent out over 5,000 online invitations to people throughout the triangle networks. We are really hoping to set an attendance record for the match tomorrow. I suggest that everybody able to attend the match should come out. Regardless of whether or not you're a Tar Heel fan.

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Stephen Bickford, a sophmore forward at UNC and Green Hope (Cary) High School alum, will be sharing his thoughts on the Tar Heels season with Triangle Soccer Fanatics throughout the year.

Reprinted from Triangle Soccer Fanatics.