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In North Carolina’s first game as the nation’s No. 1 women’s soccer team, the undefeated Tar Heels showed why with terrific defense against their fifth ranked opponent in 10 games. Junior forward Ally Sentnor gave UNC the only goal it would need in a 1–0 victory over No. 22 Virginia on Thursday night at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.
North Carolina is back atop the women’s college soccer world. For the first time in over a year, the Tar Heels are No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll released Tuesday afternoon. In addition, UNC is No. 1 in the first RPI list of the season and has played two teams in the top five.
You may be able to play North Carolina to a draw in soccer, but beating the Tar Heels has been another matter so far this season. UNC is one of three schools in the country that are undefeated in men’s soccer and women’s soccer, with a combined record of 8–0–6.
CHAPEL HILL — The pitch shifted dramatically in the second half, thanks to a formation shakeup. After No. 2 North Carolina got outshot in a half for the first time all season, the undefeated Tar Heels took control in the second half to avenge a loss last season with a 1–0 victory Friday over Virginia Tech at Dorrance Field in the ACC opener for both teams.
Undefeated Carolina returned to its preseason United Soccer Coaches women’s soccer Top 25 position at No. 2 after winning a road game against one ranked SEC team and tying another in a big week for senior forward Avery Patterson.
No. 3 Carolina and No. 12 Alabama waged a physical battle that didn’t include many good scoring chances, and the Crimson Tide’s press got the best of the Tar Heels for much of the night. The Tide drew 12 fouls and three yellow cards, making it tough for UNC as the teams played to a 1–1 draw Sunday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
A pair of top-10 SEC teams haven’t been able to overcome the No. 3 North Carolina women’s soccer team. Five days after the Tar Heels were the better Carolina on the football field, they proved the same on the soccer pitch. Four days after a two-goal win over No. 7 Arkansas in Chapel Hill, the undefeated Tar Heels won 2–1 in Columbia, S.C., on Thursday night to give No. 10 South Carolina its first loss.
You’re likely frustrated if you are a Spectrum cable customer who can’t make it to Kenan Stadium for Saturday’s 5:15 UNC home football opener against Appalachian State. ACC Network, one of the 26 channels currently off Spectrum’s menu because of a carriage dispute between Charter Communications and Disney, will televise the game.
Undefeated Carolina moved up in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 women’s rankings, and the Tar Heels’ dominant defense continues a stranglehold on the ACC Defensive Player of the Week honor. The Tar Heels (4–0–2) went up one spot to No. 3 in the poll.
CHAPEL HILL — After navigating opponents packing in defenders behind the ball most of the young season, the No. 4 North Carolina women’s soccer team dealt with a contrasting — and more entertaining — challenge against No. 8 Arkansas. The physical Razorbacks pressed, challenging the Tar Heels over the entire field. It was a refreshing change of pace for UNC, which won 3–1 on a brutally hot day at Dorrance Field to give Arkansas its first loss.
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