The entire UNC at Chapel Hill community is proud of the Division I men’s soccer team victory at the NCAA national championship on December 11, but the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) is especially proud that one of its own was on the winning team.
Josh Rice, Bachelor of Information Science (BSIS) student, is a forward on the Tar Heel team that clinched the championship trophy at the College Cup, which took place in Hoover, Alabama. "This year was a new beginning for our team because we started the season with a new coach," Rice said. "We were ranked at #1 at the beginning of the season, but had a couple of losses and dropped a surprising game at Virginia Tech. So, to come back and win the ACC and then find ourselves in the championship game was a surprise to many, but I think we always knew we could do it."
The championship game was suspenseful, but Rice and his teammates rose to the occasion. "The energy on the field was amazing especially in those closing seconds. To be on the field when the final whistle blew, and knowing that we had won the national championship, is something every soccer player dreams about. It’s a feeling that I will never forget."
Carolina beat Charlotte 1-0, according to the News & Observer. This brought their season record to 22-2-2. It was the Tar Heels’ fourth consecutive trip to the College Cup – the team lost in the semifinals in each of the previous two seasons and fell in the championship game in 2008. Sunday’s victory was their first national championship since 2001. More information about the game can be read on the NCAA Web site.
