Ben Speas, who scored the winning goal for the Tar Heels, is a transfer from Akron who played on the Zips' national championship team last season. Speas was able to play this season because soccer doesn't have a rule requiring transfers to sit out a one year.

North Carolina assistant coach Grant Porter, who grew up in Charlotte, also played on the Tar Heels' first national championship team in 2001. Porter played at Providence Day and coached at Charlotte Country Day in 2009-10.

The Tar Heels and 49ers stayed at the same hotel during the College Cup. "That was a bit awkward," said Porter. "You're sitting there eating breakfast, and the guys you're playing for the national championship are right across from you."

Six busloads of 49ers students were chartered for the game. They returned immediately afterward: this is exams week at UNC Charlotte (as it is at North Carolina).

The game's only yellow card was called on Charlotte's Donnie Smith for an overly aggressive tackle.

All-tournament team: North Carolina's Speas (forward), Billy Schuler (forward), Enzo Martinez (midfielder), and Kirk Urso (midfielder); Charlotte's Gentile, Cowles, Rodriguez and Smith; UCLA's Ryan Hollingshead (midfielder) and Chandler Dawson (forward); Creighton goalkeeper Brian Holt.