North Carolina - Four and a Half Star Class Ranking - Elmar Bolowich adds another marquee seven member recruiting class but this one is a little different in that it features two extremely talented transfers from the west coast who should hit the ground running.  Midfielder Stephen McCarthy becomes a Tar Heel after three stellar seasons at Santa Clara.  McCarthy has only one year of eligibility at North Carolina but his style of play should fit seamlessly with the Tar Heels.  Midfielder Michael Farfan makes the switch from Cal State Fullerton to Carolina Blue after being named an All-West Coast Conference First Team selection in 2006 and 2007.  North Carolina expects big things from this recruiting class.  Bolowich stated, “We added depth and balance to all our positions on the field.”  The Tar Heels had a storybook 2008 season during which they rebounded from a five game losing streak to reel off wins in the NCAA Tourney over Jacksonville, UIC, and Northwestern to advance to the Final Four where they upset Wake Forest 1-0 before losing 1-0 to Maryland in the National Championship contest.  North Carolina will enter the 2009 season hoping to build on the momentum of the 2008 campaign but they will have to do that without forward Brian Shriver (14g, 5a) who was the Tar Heels go-to scorer last year,  midfielders Michael Callahan (3g, 5a) and Gary Lewis (4g, 2a), defender Ryan Adeleye, and goalkeeper Jacob Wescoe who have graduated.   The Heels must also replace starting defender Sheanon Williams who left after his freshman season.  Sophomore Billy Schuler (4g, 5a), senior Eddie Ababio (7g, 4a), and sophomore Alex Dixon (5g, 0a)  return up-top in 2009.  The graduation of Shriver means that Schuler in particular will have to play a key role in picking up the slack on the offensive side of the ball.  Junior Cameron Brown (3g, 5a) and sophomore Kirk Urso are among returning midfielders who made a significant contribution to the Heels success last year.  Junior Dustin McCarthy (1g, 2a) and sophomore Chris Lebo (1g, 2a) should also be in the mix in the midfield in 2009.  Seniors Zach Loyd (0g, 4a) and Jordan Graye (0g, 1a) are among returning starters in the back.   Junior David Rodriquez and sophomore Brett King are among other returning defenders who will look to play a greater role in 2009.  Senior Brooks Haggerty returns in goal to give North Carolina a veteran and extremely skilled presence between the pipes.  Given the school’s tradition, it is not much of a surprise that the up tempo Tar Heels will again sport a very talented roster in 2009.  The X-factor is just how effectively the Tar Heels will be able to merge the individual talents of their players including their new recruits into a unified team.  If they do that well they should be very good. 

 

Michael Farfan - Wildomar, California - Midfielder - Cal State Fullerton - Transfers in from Cal State Fullerton - A two-time All-WCC selection.  A Parade High School All-American.

 

Scott Goodwin - Raleigh, North Carolina - Goalkeeper - Broughton High School -  Played club for CASL - NSCAA High School All-American - All-State - ESP participant.  ODP Region III team.

 

Enzo Martinez - Rock Hill, South Carolina - Forward - Northwestern High School - South Carolina State Player of the Year - Three-time All-State - South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.  

 

Stephen McCarthy - Colleyville, Texas - Midfielder - Santa Clara University - Transfers in from Santa Clara where he was a two-time All-West Coast Conference selection - Started sixty matches.

 

Martin Murphy - Cary, North Carolina - Midfielder - Green Hope High School - Played club for CASL - Two-time All-Conference selection - Member of North Carolina ODP team.

 

Josh  Rice -  Midlothian, Virginia - Defender - Midlothian High School - Played club for Richmond Strikers - Three-time All-District selection - 2008 Super-Y ODP National Camp selection.  

 

Alex Walters - Bradenton, Florida - Midfielder - Saint Stephens Episcopal School - Named IMG Academy Player of the Year - Started for the Bradenton Academics PDL team.  Florida ODP team.