Junior forward Ben Speas starred for the NCAA Division I Men’s College Cup-champion North Carolina Tar Heels in his first season in Chapel Hill. A native of Stow, Ohio, Speas transferred to UNC prior to the 2011 season from 2010 National Champion Akron, giving him the rare distinction of having been part of back-to-back national championships at different schools. He has actually been to three consecutive College Cups, as Akron finished as the national runner-up in 2009. In the 2011 College Cup Final, Speas’ swerving, left-footed goal from 25 yards out in the 64th minute was the decisive moment in UNC’s 1-0 win over Charlotte. He was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Offensive Player.
"Ben is one of our top forwards this year and he has raised his play to another level this postseason," said head coach Carlos Somoano.
2011 (UNC)
Played in all 26 games, starting 25
Collected seven goals and ten assists
ACC Tournament MVP
College Cup Most Valuable Offensive Player
NCAA DI National Title
Top 100 by Top Draw Soccer
2010 (Akron)
Played in all 25 games, starting 4
Collected two goals and and three assist
NCAA DI National Title
2009 (Akron)
Appeared all 25 games
College Cup All-Tournament Team
Recorded two goals and three assist
College News Freshman Top 100
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy
8th Ranked Senior in the nation according to ESPNRise.com
11th-ranked prospect by Top Drawer Soccer
Competed for the U.S. National Youth teams U-20, U-18 and U-17
Two-time Parade All-American ('08,'07)
Two-time NSCAA High School Boys All-American ('08,'07)
adidas ESP All-Star ('07)
Member of the 2008 U-18 Columbus Crew Academy National Finals team
