Tag: unc soccer

UNC men’s soccer squad remains undefeated by downing UNCW

The UNC men’s soccer team is also enjoying a stellar start to its season, moving to 3-0-3 with a 3-0 victory over UNCW Tuesday night.

If you’re a UNC soccer fan, chances are you’re pretty happy right now.

Not only is the top-ranked women’s soccer squad undefeated – the men are as well.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Dorrance Field, the Heels moved to 3-0-3, downing UNC-Wilmington 3-0 behind a 2-goal effort from graduate student Martin Vician.

UNC’s scoring just six minutes into the game, thanks to Vician finishing off a re-directed cross from teammate Quenzi Huerman. The Tar Heels extended their lead just nine minutes into the second half, when they took advantage of a turnover and Vician rocketed a low shot past UNCW goalkeeper Jacob Randolph.

After 19 minutes without a goal, Huerman got in on the scoring action. He one-timed a low pass from teammate Juan Caffaro, notching his team-high fifth goal of the year. Huerman’s five goals are the most by a Tar Heel through six games since 2011.

Next up for UNC is its archrival, 8th-ranked Duke, as the two Tobacco Road rivals face off in Chapel Hill on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils are coming off their first loss of the year, a 2-0 defeat at Clemson.

Fans can watch UNC-Duke on the ACC Network.

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Maycee Bell named ACC Defensive Player of the Week

UNC women’s soccer player Maycee Bell won ACC Defensive Player of the Week, in large part for her role during the Heels’ 1-0 shutout of VT.

When your soccer team has only allowed four goals through nine games, defense and goalkeeping typically tend to be the main reasons for that.

Such is the case for the UNC women’s soccer team, which currently holds a 6-0-3 record entering its game on Thursday, Sept. 21 at ACC rival UVA.

The Heels are fresh off a defensive battle last Friday night, when a 66th minute Evelyn Shores goal was all they needed in a 1-0 defeat of Virginia Tech.

There is one Tar Heel in particular – redshirt senior Maycee Bell – who is being honored as part of the defensive brick wall UNC has created.

Earlier on Monday, Sept. 19, Bell was tabbed ACC Defensive Player of the Week.

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Bell won the POTW award for the fourth time – but first since 2020 – in her long collegiate career. She continues an impressive streak by her team, as UNC’s captured all but one ACC Defensive Player of the Week award in 2023.

Bell’s strong defensive skills have also helped the Tar Heels limit all nine opponents to 11 shots or fewer, including just one for Gardner-Webb on Thursday, Aug. 31. She’s also a reliable player, playing a full 90 minutes in seven of the Heels’ nine matches.

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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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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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Anson Dorrance signs contract extension

North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance has agreed to a five-year contract extension, keeping him in Chapel Hill until 2028.

North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance has agreed to a contract extension, keeping him in Chapel Hill until through the 2028 season.

The school announced Monday that Dorrance would be sticking around longer as he looks to claim his 22nd National Championship with the program. In a press release by the program, Dorrance shares his thoughts on the five-year extension.

“To have the opportunity to be working in paradise to represent this extraordinary university has been my privilege going back to 1976 when I assisted my college coach, Dr. Marvin Allen,” Dorrance said. “I love where we are as a program and where we are going with elite coaches Damon Nahas and Nathan Thackeray setting high standards on the field. I also love what is happening off the field, as Chris Ducar positions us to compete every year to be first in home attendance.

“I want to thank Bubba Cunningham, my Athletic Director, Kevin Guskiewicz, our Chancellor and the Board of Trustees for their continued trust because ‘together we win’ while we ‘educate and inspire’ a new collection of extraordinary athletes to represent this elite University.”

Last season, the women’s soccer team finished with a 20-5-1 record, losing in a heartbreaking 3-2 double overtime loss. Next season should be fun, with Dorrance looking to help the Tar Heels bring back the National Champion.

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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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Ashlyn Harris elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Ashlyn Harris joins Vince Carter as Tar Heels elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Former UNC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris has been elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Harris joins dunking sensation Vince Carter, as one of the two Tar Heels to be elected to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Harris joined UNC in 2005, and despite missing her first season due to ACL Knee surgery, she became instrumental to the Tar Heels’ success following that year.

In 2008 she was one half of the studded duo with Anna Rodenbough, combining 17 shutouts that season. Harris finished the year with nine goals allowed while making 28 saves for a .757 save percentage. She finished the year as a Duke Adidas Classic All-Tournament team member.

Harris helped UNC reach new heights as they won national championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

During her time at UNC, Harris also trained with the US National team. Since Harris’s UNC days, the goalkeeper has continued to carve out her legacy, winning 2016 NWSL Goalkeeper of the YearGoalkeeper of the Year and being a 2X FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion.

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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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