Carolina men’s soccer just got a major boost from one of its own.
Former Tar Heel captain Matt Laycock ’01 and Leila Khoury have given $250,000 to the program’s operating endowment, a donation Carolina Athletics and The Rams Club announced in Chapel Hill. Laycock said he hopes the gift will spark others - alumni, friends and supporters - to follow his lead.
Carlos Somoano made clear how much that kind of backing means.
"We are incredibly grateful for Matt's generous investment in Carolina men's soccer and, most importantly, in the student-athletes who represent this program," said Head Coach Carlos Somoano. "We have a proud tradition at Carolina, and gifts like this allow us to build on that tradition and create an even stronger future.
Matt's leadership and commitment mean so much to our current roster and to future Tar Heels. We are deeply appreciative of his support and for his willingness to inspire others to join him in investing in our program."
At Carolina, each of the school’s 28 sports has an operating endowment and a “friends” account. The endowment’s annual yield can be used by the head coach for needs that fall outside the regular operating budget, while donations to friends accounts give coaches immediate funds to use as they see fit. Laycock is encouraging supporters to give through either path.
"I’m incredibly excited and honored to make a gift to a program that has meant so much to me," Laycock said. "Carolina men's soccer gave me opportunities that shaped my life, and I want to give today's student-athletes the chance to experience those same opportunities.
I hope this gift not only helps strengthen the program but also inspires others to recognize how important it is to invest in and support men's soccer. We have a special opportunity to build on the program's momentum, give our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed, and create an experience they will carry with them long after their time on the field."
The program’s track record is already loaded: more than 50 All-America selections, two NCAA championships, three ACC championships and dozens of players drafted into the professional ranks, including three in 2026.
Under Somoano, Carolina has reached the NCAA Championship in 14 of his 15 seasons. In the 2025-26 season, the Tar Heels advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact Connor Weishaar at The Rams Club at 919-455-1488 or connor@ramsclub.com here, or give to the "friends" account here.
In Other News...
UNC Suddenly Faces A QB Decision That Could Define The Season
The bye week arrived at a useful time for North Carolina, because the conversation around the offense changed fast after the 28-20 loss to Clemson. Billy Edwards Jr. had a rough afternoon through the air, finishing 13 of 30 for 135 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while the defense faded after halftime and left the Tar Heels chasing the game. In a season where every small edge matters, the quarterback spot has suddenly become one of the most consequential decisions on the table.
A change is at least being discussed internally, and the timing makes sense with a break in the schedule to reset before the next stretch of difficult games. Still, this is not a simple plug-and-play call, and the context around the offense suggests any move could be premature if the staff believes the bigger issues go beyond one position. For now, UNC has a week to sort through whether it needs a new answer under center or simply a better version of the one it already has. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Just Got An Eligibility Boost With Bigger Questions Ahead
A court ruling out of Indiana has given North Carolina football kicker Rece Verhoff and three Tar Heels field hockey players a temporary path back to competition, restoring a fifth season of eligibility while the broader legal fight plays out. The decision also covers Ryleigh Heck, Sietske Brning and Dani Mendez, and it comes as part of a challenge to the NCAAs new age-based eligibility model for athletes in the high school Class of 2022.
For UNC, the immediate effect is simple enough: the athletes are allowed to return during the 2026-27 academic year if they choose to keep going. The bigger issue is still unresolved, though, because the injunction only addresses eligibility for now and leaves the larger question of how the NCAAs new standard will hold up in court hanging over players who thought their college timelines were already set. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Already Has 3 Breakout Stars Fans Need To Notice
North Carolinas 2-1 start has given the Tar Heels a little breathing room heading into their Week 4 bye, and it has also surfaced a few names worth keeping on the radar. The early buzz starts up front with defensive tackle Lewis, who has been a major force in the pass rush despite the team dealing with injuries around him, while linebacker Seelmann has quickly made his presence felt after arriving from Richmond and settling into a bigger role.
On the offensive side, tight end Thurman has stepped into the mix at an important time after the injury to projected starter Jaxxon Warren, becoming a more reliable part of the passing game. For a team still sorting out its identity this early in the season, those kinds of breakout performances matter because they can help stabilize both sides of the ball while the Tar Heels use the bye week to reset and prepare for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]