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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