Tag: North Carolina Tar Heels Soccer

Tar Heels top collegiate women’s soccer rankings in latest poll

The UNC women’s soccer team, off to a 6-0-3 start to its 2023 campaign, ranks number one in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll.

It’s been a heck of a ride for the UNC women’s soccer team so far this season.

The Heels currently sport a record of six wins and three ties, with the most recent result being a 1-0 defeat of Virginia Tech last Friday night. Carolina’s beaten two ranked teams – #7 South Carolina (2-1), and #11 Arkansas (3-1) – plus tied #4 Penn State (0-0) and #9 Alabama (1-1).

As a result of their early success, UNC currently sits atop the United Soccer Coaches’ Poll. The Heels are ahead of powers Stanford and Florida State (three national championships each), plus last year’s champion, UCLA.

Players are dominating on both sides of the ball. Senior Avery Patterson leads five multi-goal scorers with four tallies, while freshman Melina Rebimbas anchors the passing attack with three assists (four players have multiple).

Opponents have only scored four goals on the Tar Heels – that’s a combination of rock-solid defense and four shutouts from goalkeeper Emmie Allen. UNC’s most impressive defensive streak came in late August, when it shutout Wisconsin, USC and Gardner-Webb in back-to-back-to-back clashes.

After the 3-game shutout streak, Carolina only allowed three total goals to three ranked SEC teams in Arkansas, South Carolina and Alabama.

UNC has another tough test coming up, as it travels to #22 UVA on Thursday night. The Heels lead the all-time series 16-5-4, but lost 3-2 last year in Chapel Hill.

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Third-ranked Tar Heels battle to tie with Crimson Tide in Sunday soccer clash

The third-ranked UNC women’s soccer team battled a tough, 12th-ranked Alabama squad to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.

Being undefeated eight games into your season is an impressive feat, no matter what sport you play.

Such is the case for the UNC women’s soccer team, the NCAA’s all-time winningest program with 21 national championships.

On Sunday afternoon, the third-ranked Tar Heels battled to a 1-1 tie with 12-ranked Alabama. It appeared UNC might exit Tuscaloosa with its sixth victory, but a late Crimson Tide goal gave the Heels their third tie.

Carolina opened the scoring in half number two during the 58th minute, when 2022 goal leader Avery Patterson sprinted down the field and pushed a low shot past Alabama keeper Coralie Lallier. UNC generated several more shots on goal during the second half, including one after the Crimson Tide knotted things up in the 78th minute.

The Tar Heels enjoyed an 18-11 shot advantage, including a 7-3 mark on goal, in their final non-conference clash. They return to Dorrance Field on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., when they host a Virginia Tech team coming off an NCAA tournament appearance of its own.

UNC isn’t looking to just make another postseason appearance this year – it’s looking to win its 22nd title, especially after coming within 10 minutes of winning it last year.

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Maycee Bell’s hops land her new program record

Maycee Bell, a redshirt senior on the UNC women’s soccer team, set a program record with her 34.5-inch vertical jump in game action.

Maycee Bell is expected to be a key contributor on a UNC women’s soccer team looking to avenge last year’s NCAA Championship defeat.

Bell was one of three Tar Heels selected to the Preseason All-ACC squad, along with teammates Sam Meza and Ally Sentnor. Bell’s been part of a Tar Heel defense that’s, through two games this season, only allowed one goal.

Bell and her Tar Heel teammates limited opponents to 20 goals last year, including an August in which UNC’s opposition never found the back of the net.

Not only is Bell a solid defender, though, she can also get up.

Preseason All-ACC and program record holder? You could say Bell, who’s a redshirt senior, is enjoying her last year in Tar Heel Blue.

Next up for Bell and Carolina is a Thursday, Aug. 24 home contest against the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers, just like UNC, are 1-0-1 after their first two games. They beat UIC (University of Illinois-Chicago) 1-0 on Sunday, while Avery Patterson, Melina Rebimbas and Olivia Thomas helped the Heels down California by a 3-1 score.

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UNC women’s soccer program remains undefeated after first weekend of play

The UNC women’s soccer team, who lost in last year’s National Championship matchup with UCLA, has a win and a tie under its belt in 2023.

The University of North Carolina women’s soccer program remains in a good spot after its opening weekend of 2023 play.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, the second-ranked Heels traveled up to Happy Valley for their opener with Penn State. UNC drew 0-0 with the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions, but held a 19-5 shot advantage. Being able to get this many shots off against a top-ranked opponent bodes well for the future.

Carolina played well in Pennsylvania, but fared better in its return to Dorrance Field on Sunday – a 3-1 victory over Cal-Berkeley. 2022 leading goal scorer Avery Patterson started the scoring off a corner kick three minutes in, then UNC took the lead for good when freshman Melina Rebimbas scored with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Olivia Thomas, another freshman, extended Carolina’s lead to 3-1 with a goal less than two minutes into the second half. Defense locked down the rest of the game, holding California scoreless.

UNC will stay at home through Labor Day Weekend, with contests against Wisconsin (Thursday at 4 p.m.), USC (Sunday at 1 p.m.), Gardner-Webb (8/31 at 7 p.m.) and Arkansas (9/3 at 2 p.m.). The Carolina-Arkansas game will pit two NCAA tournament teams against each other – UNC lost to UCLA in the national championship, while Arkansas lost to Florida State in the third round.

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UNC women’s soccer team kicks off 2023 campaign Thursday at Penn State

The UNC women’s soccer team, which fell minutes short of a 22nd national championship last year, opens its 2023 season tomorrow night.

Last year looked like it might finally be when UNC’s women’s soccer program snapped its long title drought, as the Heels led 2-0 entering the 80th minute of the NCAA championship against UCLA.

Two quick Bruin goals, plus another in the second overtime period, all but ended Carolina’s hopes of title number 22.

With several key players back this season, highlighted by preseason All-ACC players Maycee Bell, Sam Meza and Ally Sentnor, UNC is one of the title favorites.

The Heels kick off their quest for another championship tomorrow evening, as they travel up to Happy Valley for a 7 p.m. kick-off with Penn State. The Nittany Lions defeated Carolina archrival Duke, 1-0, to capture the 2015 National Championship.

Penn State finished 15-5-3 (5-3-2) last year, advancing all the way to the NCAA tournament’s third round before falling to Virginia.

UNC went 20-5-1 (8-2) in 2022, with their lone losses coming to UCLA (twice), UVA, Virginia Tech and Florida State (ACC championship). Sentnor (10) and Avery Patterson (13) led the attack with double-digit goal totals, while Emmie Allen was practically a brick wall in net with 70 saves and 19 wins.

After traveling up East to Pennsylvania, the Heels open their home slate on Sunday against California (1 p.m.)

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UNC women’s soccer team tabbed as preseason ACC favorites

The UNC women’s soccer team, who was 10 minutes away from winning their 22nd title last year, is picked as the 2023 ACC preseason favorite.

The University of North Carolina women’s soccer program is undoubtedly the country’s best.

UNC’s appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1982, when the NCAA started sponsoring women’s soccer. Despite not winning a title since 2012, the Heels’ 21 ranks most all-time.

The next closest? Stanford, Notre Dame and Florida State, all tied for three.

Carolina almost won another championship last year, as they had a 2-0 lead over UCLA heading into the 80th minute. The Bruins, with their backs against the wall, tied the game up with two quick ones. A winner in the second overtime prevented UNC from singing along to Taylor Swift with its 22nd title.

This trip to the title game, plus nine returning starters, was convincing enough for Carolina to be picked as the ACC’s preseason favorite.

Headlining the returners are preseason All-ACC players Maycee Bell, Sam Meza and 2022 10-goal scorer Ally Sentnor. Meza scored two goals and dished out four assists in 15 starts last year, while Bell was part of a defense that only allowed 20 goals.

She’s not on the preseason All-ACC team, but last year’s leading goal scorer Avery Patterson (13) returns to lead the offense. In goal? The Heels return a stud netminder in Emmie Allen, who won 19 matches and saved 70 shots.

Coaching North Carolina is Anson Dorrance, who’s been in Chapel Hill ever since the program’s inception in 1979.

Regardless of who UNC matches up against this season, opponents are in for a tough contest. Is this the year Carolina finally snaps its championship drought?

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UNC women’s soccer team two weeks out from home opener

The UNC women’s soccer team, which lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in last year’s NCAA title game, is just two weeks away from its season opener.

Is this the year UNC’s women’s soccer team will finally break through and win their 22nd national championship?

The Heels, unarguably the greatest collegiate program of all-time, hasn’t won a national championship since 2012. They’ve come awfully close in recent years – last year should’ve been number 22. The Heels led 2-0 entering the 80th minute of play, then UCLA scored two goals to tie things up. The Bruins crushed UNC’s hopes with a second-overtime winner.

Good news for Heels fans – the season starts exactly two weeks from today. Tickets are now on sale – season tickets starts at $64 dollars, while tickets for the Sunday, Aug. 20 opener against California start at $8.

Expectations are high for Carolina – they return a pair of double-digit goal scorers in senior Avery Patterson (13) and Ally Sentnor (10). Goalkeeper Emmie Allen, entering her redshirt sophomore season, saved 70 shots and allowed just 17 goals across 26 starts.

Though Florida State is being picked to win the ACC by Soccerwire.com, there, it’s really anyone’s conference.

If you want to see your soccer Heels on their quest for title number 22, get your tickets today!

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UNC men’s soccer schedule announced

A season after an 8-6-5 record, we look at the teams UNC will play this year.

The North Carolina men’s soccer team 2023 schedule has been released, with the Tar Heels kicking off the season with an exhibition game on the road against Campbell University.

After hosting High Point and James Madison in Chapel Hill, UNC will kick off the regular season against Loyola Maryland.

The Tar Heels will have their cleats full in quite of bit of the matchups, such as the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils on September 23rd. Another key game to watch is October 14th, when UNC travels to Winston Salem, NC, to take on top 25-ranked Wake Forest. UNC will end the season on the road against another top-25 school in Virginia on October 27th.

The Tar Heels finished last season with an 8-6-5 record, largely thanks to their struggles in the conference, posting a 2-2-4 record in the ACC. After finishing fourth in the conference, UNC will have plenty of opportunities to improve its placement there.

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UNC women’s soccer schedule announced

A season after a heartbreaking double overtime loss in the National Championship, we look at the teams UNC will play this year.

The North Carolina women’s soccer team is gearing up for another hopeful championship appearance, and we now know the teams they will face along the journey.

The Tar Heels will open up their season against East Carolina in an exhibition game in Chapel Hill. UNC will have some huge games on the schedule, including a meeting with the third-ranked team in the nation last year, Florida State. Another huge game to watch is UNC defending their home turf against Arkansas.

The Tar Heels will be in the driver’s seat for most of their games against top teams this year but do have some tough challenges on the road, including Duke, Virginia, and South Carolina.

Last season UNC came close to winning the national championship, falling short 3-2 to UCLA in double overtime of the title game. The Tar Heels finished with a 20-5-1 record, dominating the conference 8-2.

Seeing what this team will do this upcoming season will be fun.

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Two former Tar Heels make World Cup roster

Two former UNC Soccer players have been named to the USA Women’s World Cup team.

The United States Women’s Soccer team will look to win their third-straight World Cup as they hit the pitch in July in Australia. And two former North Carolina standouts have made the roster.

With a month to go until the big event, both Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn were each named to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Fox is making her first World Cup appearance after playing four seasons at North Carolina from 2017-2021. She was drafted No. 1 overall by Racing Louisville FC in the 2021 NWSL Draft.

As for Dunn, this is her second World Cup appearance after helping the team win it all back in 2019. Dunn played four years at UNC from 2010-2013.

Team USA will play its opening match on July 21st when they take on Vietnam.

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