UNC 2019

Discussion in 'Women's College' started by uncchamps2012, Dec 2, 2018.

  1. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    Hey, Branski, great to see you here!

    My understanding is that the only two confirmed incoming freshman who have matriculated are Hallie Klanke and Maggie Pierce. I was expecting to see Klanke as #26 as that is what she posted on her Twitter account. However, I was standing next to a parent who had seen the scrimmages of several weeks ago who positively identified #15 as Klanke and when she was close up I immediately recognized her face from the many photos she has posted over the years before taking her account private. And then for the last 15 minutes of the game I boldly went over to the bench side close enough that I could distinguish Anson calling her Hallie.

    Yes, you are correct about Taylor Otto. I incorrectly wrote down "16" in the first half and she never got near me where I was on the sideline for a closer look. In the second half it clearly was #6 and Taylor Otto. (So it was a brain fart above.) I found myself wondering if #2 was Pierce, but do not think so. (The parent mentioned that several club players were getting a little time.)
     
  2. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Interesting that a player (of quite obvious Italian descent) is called Gambone. Gambone, in Italian, means "big leg". Does having a big leg help in soccer? :p
     
  3. Cliveworshipper

    Cliveworshipper Member+

    Dec 3, 2006

    In English it can mean a thigh of ham or cured pork, so maybe an ancestral trade.
     
    blissett repped this.
  4. Cliveworshipper

    Cliveworshipper Member+

    Dec 3, 2006
    #54 Cliveworshipper, Mar 20, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2019
    If you really want to go down the etymological rabbit hole ponder this:

    The slave trade went from Africa to the new world, often trough Haiti to the US. Many were Yoruba who had a thigh slapping rhythm music called Giouba or Djouba.in Haiti and the South that became juba. It was also called something else related to the thigh.

    Haiti is French speaking, and ham, gambone, translates there as jambon. In the US it became hambone.

     
    Soccerhunter and blissett repped this.
  5. Chrasts67

    Chrasts67 New Member

    Manchester United
    United States
    Sep 9, 2017
    I believe there to be just two gray shirts, Klanke and Pierce. Both played in the first scrimmage, but Pierce was missing (injured?) for the courage game.

    If my math is correct, 18 girls from the national championship game are missing this spring due to graduation, injury, etc. Gonna be a learning experience for the youngsters this spring. This team will look completely different in the fall.
     
    Soccerhunter repped this.
  6. babranski

    babranski Member+

    Dec 15, 2012
    Raleigh, NC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can only imagine Aleigh's reaction if / when she reads this part of the thread. XD
     
    Soccerhunter repped this.
  7. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I don't know her at all, so even just imagining her is beyond me! :laugh:
     
  8. Left Foot2

    Left Foot2 New Member

    Mar 14, 2019
    From what I heard on the sidelines I believe you are correct - Klanke and Pierce are the only grayshirts, both started and played entire first match, Pierce injured (apparently not serious and not an ACL) in training and missed match vs Courage.
     
  9. babranski

    babranski Member+

    Dec 15, 2012
    Raleigh, NC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think the only remaining question mark from the Courage scrimmage is #22 in midfield. Does anybody know? I thought it was Chandler at first, but goodness she looks nothing at all like her profile on goheels.com would suggest.

    https://goheels.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=14641

    1108369904271609861 is not a valid tweet id
     
  10. Cliveworshipper

    Cliveworshipper Member+

    Dec 3, 2006
    Then I guess you don’t want hear about how Aleigh, an Arabic variant of the name Ali (high, exalted, champion) relates...:whistling:
     
    blissett repped this.
  11. ntxsage

    ntxsage Member

    Apr 25, 2012
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    There....fixed that for you.

     
    Soccerhunter and Cliveworshipper repped this.
  12. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    #62 Soccerhunter, Mar 27, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
    Bringing it home...
    Hassan Pinto is transferring from Elon back to hometown Durham to play for Duke. That would be Brianna's brother. (UNC grads as parents, both kids grew up in Durham.)

    (And an eye opener for me... 15 internationals on the Elon team including 5 from England and 3 from Germany, 2 each from Spain and Denmark, and representation from Iceland, Israel, and Hong Kong. And at the Duke classic last year Little ol' Elon beat Florida International 3-0 because the Golden Panthers only had 8 internationals on their team?! And the other opponent (Vermont) had 11 internationals on their roster. Man! Sure is different from WOSO.)
     
  13. EHaz

    EHaz Member

    Chelsea
    United States
    Mar 23, 2017
    UNC just picked up a 2020 commitment from Samantha Meza, a top 5 player who pretty much waited until the last minute as she was the last of a few girls in that class who hadn't committed. Anson is really ramping up recruiting again after the last few years of domination by stanford/ucla. 2020 is looking good so far and 2022 class might be special. As for UNC in 2019 i still see them as a contender. 2019 freshman class isn't top heavy but solid. This will be a deep team. Zoe Redei has battled injuries throughout her career which hampered her development but she's still very talented and i can see her taking that next step as a senior leader. she has the talent. The midfield may be the one of the best in the country. Defense will need to be sorted, the departure of Julia Ashley will hurt.
     
  14. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    All true, EHaz. I think that your observations are spot on.

    With regard to the 2019 class and in looking at the several prior large classes for UNC, if history is a guide this class might produce three or even four starters by their junior or senior year. (Some disappointments and some pleasant surprises.) We may see one or two starters this next season on defense, but there would be a lot of competition. But I could be surprised. The middle of this class could develop nicely (Klanke, Pierce, Brown, and Cox.)

    I have been wondering why Samantha had not committed long ago like virtually of the other top players in her class. Glancing at the top 3.5 tiers of the 2020 players I am following (representing about 50 players) 2/3 of them committed in the summer of fall of 2017 and the remaining third (with only a few outliers) had committed by September of 2018. So I am wondering why March of 2019 was right for her. Waiting to see where she would land I had recently taken to wondering if her height might have been a perceived problem by coaches recruiting her. She's actually very much like forward version of Stanford's Kiki Pickett ...which is a compliment. In any case, I am delighted that she has chosen UNC. She is an excellent player and should fit in well.

    Also at the same time, the younger sister of 2020 commit Talia DellaPeruta has committed to UNC for the class of 2022. Tori is not as highly regarded as her older sister, but as I am fond of saying, opinions/rankings of younger players change and may change again over the next 3.5 years before she matriculates at Chapel Hill. Early commitments are a mixed bag.

    Speaking of rankings, TDS has upped UNC 2021 commit Emily Colton from 4 to 5 stars, and I can't figure why. I don't see that she has done anything different over the last 6 months than she always has (a DA scorer) so I'm not sure what prompted the upgrade. TDS historically reserves their 5 stars for the national team superstars and Emily got two looks with the U15s early last year but then has dropped off their radar to toil in the DA. I have her as a third tier player (7.5) who is reasonably skilled with a forte of being able to outrun many defenders while dribbling in on goal and she places the ball well on her shots both to the corners and frequent chips over keepers. (On the other hand, in the videos the defenses and keepers have been uniformly bad, and there is no footage of her defending as a midfielder.) However, I have not seen any recent footage and maybe she is developing a wider range of technical abilities...and she has two full seasons to go yet to develop.
     
    EHaz repped this.
  15. Left Foot2

    Left Foot2 New Member

    Mar 14, 2019
    Relying on a friend from VA who has some knowledge of the game who attended match vs. Washington Spirit last night, but will pass along:

    Game ended in a 0-0 tie and while Spirit had more chances, especially late when UNC seemed to tire, UNC more than held their own and made Spirit earn every foot. Dickey had a few superb late saves to keep it 0-0. Schultz had one good chance on interception in Spirit end, Otto took one free kick within range of net, Pierce took the longer free kicks and put 2 into the box for headers, and UNC had one late chance on a cross (not sure who delivered) to Russo. He was not sure if UNC had any corners.

    Starting lineup:
    Back 4: Andrezewski, Wubben-Moy, Goff, Hallie Klanke (grayshirt)
    Midfield: Otto, Maggie Pierce (grayshirt), Sparling?
    Forwards: Shultz, Russo, Dorwart

    Pinto and Fox missed for national team camp and presumably would slot in for Sparling and Klanke? Spirit likewise missing top players at national camp, but had much deeper bench so subbed a lot and showed fresh legs late in game.

    Otto and Pierce played the whole 90 in the midfield, the back 4 also (he thinks) did not sub out, and #21, 16 and 30 (maybe) rotated through the forwards and Sparling.

    Other than commenting that the crowd was large and enthusiastic, source said UNC seemed to match up well with the pros in terms of size and physical play and technical skill level (if not a notch above) but a step slow in speed at times.
     
  16. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    Thanks, Left Foot 2! I really appreciate such feedback. As far as I know, this will be the last spring public scrimmage given that previously announced game with Sky Blue has been canceled.

    One detail I'm interested in is Russo at forward. I have come to think that she is best utilized at left mid where she has good shot range and doesn't have to maneuver around multiple bodies converging on defense. I'm a little surprised that the line of Shultz, Russo, and Dorwart did not produce a goal (assuming that they got some service.)

    I imaging that our defense looked pretty good against the Spirit even with only one previous regular defender (Wubben-Moy). Klanke comes to UNC with a reputation as a hustle with decent speed, but p[laying defense is a new experience for her as her club and HS position was high scoring forward. Goff seems to fit in anywhere she is needed, and Andrzejewski can do good work when she is motivated.

    Also, did your friend comment on how Page Neilsen and Dorian Bailey looked? I saw the video of the spirit game against the French pro team (a 3-1 loss by the Spirit even with 3 national team players. (Their offense was terrible.. very direct up the middle ending with few really good looks. Their coach yelling at them to move the ball forward every time they passed laterally or safely back.) But Paige and Dorian comported themselves well not withstanding inane instructions yelled from the bench.
     
  17. EHaz

    EHaz Member

    Chelsea
    United States
    Mar 23, 2017
    i think Emily Colton being bumped up is by default of other players in front of her being out of form. Her speed is her greatest asset. Overall the 2021 class doesn't seem as strong as the others and that could be part of it aswell. Really hard to evaluate these players this early on.
     
  18. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    #68 Soccerhunter, Mar 31, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2019
    We will not likely see the Heels until next fall...and there will be some significant changes from the outings this spring.

    In addition to the 9 additional incoming freshmen, veterans who are absent this spring that will be back in the fall are Zoe Redei who is studying abroad, Rachel Jones who I understand is seriously trying to recover from a chronic pain that hampered her last fall, Mary Eliot McCabe who is injured this spring, and Ru Mucherera (also studying abroad) who I understand will be playing her fourth year of eligibility as a graduate student. (And does anyone know whether we will see Kacey Parker on the field again? ...We wont see Brooke Bingham as she is out with an ACL.)

    And, of course, this leaves the two most notable players who were missing these past two weeks, Briana Pinto and Emily Fox. Like every other UNC fan, I see these two as key to a very successful 2019. But I am worried that they may be scarce too. I am worried because after the WWC is finished this summer in France, there will be some retirements and other possible changes on the USWNT roster. Jill Ellis will be scouting for long term replacements and Briana and Emily will definitely be on her list to attend camps and play in a number of friendlies in the fall. The question is --will this be handled in a way that will allow them to remain in school and eligible to play for UNC?
     
  19. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    I agree. On paper the 2021 class looks weaker the the two previous classes. But time will tell. With a larger pool of trained girl soccer players showing up every year, there are more and more kids who develop in their mid and late teens who rise up.
     
  20. Left Foot2

    Left Foot2 New Member

    Mar 14, 2019
    Sorry Soccerhunter - my VA friend says he was unfamiliar with most of the Spirit players, so wasn't sure on Neilsen or Bailey, or even if they played.
     
  21. shlj

    shlj Member+

    Apr 16, 2007
    London
    Club:
    FC Nantes
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    Lois Joel transferring to UNC as seen on Lessia's and Lotte's insta story.
     
  22. Crazyhorse

    Crazyhorse Member

    Dec 29, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The English youth national team wave from a couple of years ago is now consolidating. Patten links up with her friend at USCe and Joel with her two friends at UNC.
     
  23. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    #73 Soccerhunter, Apr 17, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2019
    Hmm.... An interesting development. Perhaps a good move for Lois to be with good friends from home and the academic environment may be more to her liking. (She's strong academically.) But as to much playing time, (although one can never be sure) it will be interesting to see how much playing time she actually gets at UNC.

    At West Virginia last season she never started and got a total of 411 minutes for the season and most of those minutes were in routs (eg vs BU where WVU out shot BU 27-0, or out shot Kansas State 31-7, or out shot OK State 33-3.) Near the end of the season she played less.

    On the other hand, 2019 is the best possible year to transfer to UNC as a defender. Julia graduated and Brooke is out with an ACL leaving two holes in the back line to fill. Competition for those slots will be freshmen Tori Hansen, Maycee Bell (both with significant youth national team experience), and Hallie Klanke, and upper class players Morgan Goff and Mary Elliot McCabe.

    2020 will be loaded with quality defenders with Abbey Allen coming in (a YNT defender) along with fellow frosh Madison Reid (whose sister is playing pro in the NWSL), and Brooke Bingham will be back on duty. Lotte and Emily will be seniors, and with Tori, Maycee, Hallie, Mary Elliot and now Lois on the roster, that's potentially 10 defenders looking at 4 starting positions. (My guess is that the 2020 back line will be Abby, Lotte, Brooke, and Emily. Madison, Tori and Maycee will be on call for injury or when certainly Emily (if she hasn't left school for the US full national team and pro) Abby, Tori, Maycee, and/or Lotte are off playing internationally. Hallie will likely see time at forward and Mary Elliot at midfield.)
     
  24. Soccerhunter

    Soccerhunter Member+

    Sep 12, 2009
    UNC recruiting seems to bode well for the Heels recently. I do think that the classes through 2022 are now all wrapped up. For one thing, I just don't see any more room under the NCAA scholarship limit until the 2019 class graduates after the 2022 season (unless some top players have surprisingly agreed to less than full rides.) This is to say that if any more players are added, they will be walk-ons or other non-scholarship players. And what a potentially exciting time for Tarheel fans! The strength especially of the even numbered UNC recruiting classes (2018, 2020, and 2022) are such that the Heels should be competitive at the top level of Division I soccer for the foreseeable future.

    This does not mean that the usual suspects (Stanford, UCLA, FSU, Penn State, USC, and other top schools in the ACC and other Power 5 conferences plus Schools like Georgetown and additional mid majors who are developing good soccer chops), won't also be equally strong as the numbers of quality US and international players continues to increase. But it is a relief for a UNC fan to see things stabilize from a recruiting point of view. I think that the five year extension of Anson's contract has been huge!

    To summarize for 2019: The Heels should be competitive, but I think that they will be experimenting right into the NCAA tournament. The core of the team will be 4 juniors (Fox, Wubben-Moy, Russo, and Otto) and sophomores Pinto, Dowart, and Dickey in goal. That's 7 of a starting 11. The experimenting will be at two defensive slots and getting the midfield sorted out and seeing what works in the scoring department. For example, should Russo be forward or at her preferred left mid slot? (I'd vote for left mid.) Same is true for Dowart. Will Goff start and will it be in the midfield or as a defender? Will forwards Jones and Redei be consistently healthy? Will Andrzejewski stay motivated? Will Shultz be able to play more minutes? The Puzzle with the large incoming 2019 class is that they bring no obvious answers. There are two quality defenders in Tori Hansen and Maycee Bell, but will they seamlessly fit into the system. Forward Hallie Klanke is being groomed for outside back, so well see what happens there. We'll just have to see how the other 8 newcomers (9 including the Brit transfer from West Virginia.) Bottom line: a lot of churn this fall looking to fill 4 open slots with a huge class of 11 coming in of yet to be seen quality (mostly locals from a 50 mile radius from North Carolina.)
     
  25. Crazyhorse

    Crazyhorse Member

    Dec 29, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    SH, who was the freshman attacker last season who was a force, super fast, her name escapes me, but she was impressive!
     

Share This Page