Nov. 10, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. -
With three first-team all-conference selections for the first time since 2002, North Carolina was one of four teams to lead the way with four members of the 2009 All-Atlantic Coast Conference men's soccer teams, which were announced Tuesday. Junior midfielder Michael Farfan, senior defender Zach Loyd and sophomore forward Billy Schuler each garnered first-team honors, while junior midfielder Cameron Brown was named to the second team. Additionally, rookie forward Enzo Martinez earned a spot on the league's All-Freshman Team.
The Tar Heels joined Wake Forest, Maryland and Virginia with four all-league selections. UNC trailed only the Demon Deacons with its three-first team choices. The teams were determined by a vote of the league's nine head coaches.
Farfan claims all-league honors in his first season at Carolina after transferring from Cal State Fullerton. The Wildomar, Calif., product has started all 17 games and is second on the team with 13 points on five goals and three assists. He was a two-time ACC Player of the Week selection during the regular season.
The Tar Heels' senior captain, Loyd is playing center back for the first time in his career due to several defensive injuries for Carolina. Despite missing five outings, the Verdigris, Okla., native has started 12 games and has six points on two goals and two assists. He has helped lead the UNC defense to eight shutouts and a 0.62 goals against average.
Schuler is UNC's leading scorer with 20 points on eight goals and four assists, while starting all 17 games. The Allentown, N.J., product shares the ACC lead with six game-winning goals and tallied seven points on three goals and an assist in the final week of the regular season. The reigning ACC and national player of the week, Schuler is currently third in the league in goals and sixth in points.
Brown, a native of Garland, Texas, has started 16 games and is third at Carolina with 12 points on five goals and two assists. He is second on the team with three game-winning goals, which is ranked sixth in the ACC. Following a two-goal game against Evansville, Brown scored in league play against Virginia, Duke and Boston College.
Martinez has been a spark off the bench for the Tar Heels this season, totaling 10 points on three goals and four assists. The Rock Hill, S.C., native has played in all 17 games and made five starts. He scored in two of the first three games of the season and tallied a season-best two assists in the win over Campbell.
The Tar Heels are back in action Wednesday in an ACC Championship quarterfinal match against NC State at 8 p.m. at Cary's WakeMed Soccer Park.
All-Conference First Team
Andrew Wenger Duke Fr. Defender
Jason Herrick Maryland Jr. Forward
Zac MacMath Maryland So. Goalkeeper
Michael Farfan North Carolina Jr. Midfielder
Zach Loyd North Carolina Sr. Defender
Billy Schuler North Carolina So. Forward
Alan Sanchez NC State Sr. Midfielder
Corben Bone Wake Forest Jr. Midfielder
Austin da Luz Wake Forest Sr. Midfielder
Ike Opara Wake Forest Jr. Defender
Zack Schilawski Wake Forest Sr. Forward
All-Conference Second Team
Justin Luthy Boston College Fr. Goalkeeper
Karl Reddick Boston College Jr. Defender
Cole Grossman Duke Jr. Midfielder
Kevin Tangney Maryland Sr. Defender
Drew Yates Maryland Sr. Midfielder
Cameron Brown North Carolina Jr. Midfielder
Ronnie Boemboue NC State Sr. Forward
Neil Barlow Virginia Sr. Midfielder
William Bates Virginia Fr. Forward
Ross LaBauex Virginia Sr. Midfielder
Tony Tchani Virginia So. Midfielder
All-Freshmen Team
Kyle Bekker Boston College Midfielder
Justin Luthy Boston College Goalkeeper
Charlie Rugg Boston College Forward
Ryan Finley Duke Forward
Andrew Wenger Duke Defender
Taylor Kemp Maryland Defender
Ethan White Maryland Defender
Enzo Martinez North Carolina Forward
William Bates Virginia Forward
Anthony Arena Wake Forest Defender
Andy Lubahn Wake Forest Forward
Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year
Corben Bone, Wake Forest Ike Opara, Wake Forest
Freshman of the Year Coach of the Year
Andrew Wenger, Duke Jay Vidovich, Wake Forest
