Soccer Travels To Carolina Nike Classic
8/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 25, 2011
HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team looks to continue its ambitious non-conference schedule as they prepare to travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. for the 2011 Carolina Nike Classic. Houston will face No. 12 Duke at 4 p.m. Friday, before matching up with head coach Susan Bush's alma mater, No. 3 North Carolina at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fetzer Field.
Duke has gotten off to a fast start this season, jumping to an early 2-0-0 record. The Blue Devils defeated Army 2-0 in their season opener then followed by a win over No. 21 South Carolina. The Duke defense has been stifling this season with shutouts in both victories, while outshooting their opponents, 35-9.
North Carolina will be entering the tournament after winning a thriller in its season opener. The Tar Heals defeated Nebraska 2-1 with a late game-winning goal by Ranee Premji in the 77th minute in front of a record crowd of 2,319 fans. Before facing the Cougars, UNC will face top-ranked Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Friday.
Houston, coming off a tough loss to Texas, looks to take advantage of their difficult non-conference slate.
"The only way we are going to get better is if we play good teams like the ones we have scheduled," said Bush.
This will be the first meeting between Houston and Duke and North Carolina. This is the most demanding schedule the Cougars have faced since 2003 when their non-conference schedule included five top-25 opponents, Baylor, SMU, Marquette, Georgia and South Carolina. North Carolina, at No. 3, will be the highest ranked opponent Houston has ever faced.