IMO Jones was lucky to leave the WF game without a red card. Her first goal was a clear tackle from behind on the WF keeper. I'm not sure what the keeper was doing, but still.
Does anyone know if/when there may be highlight videos for UNC games? For the past several years every time the game was broadcast, regardless of the network producing it, UNC seemed to have bargained for a few minutes of tape for the highlights to embed in the schedule results. But this season NADA! WHat's up with that?
Waiting for the result this afternoon of what may be the key game in this fall's "regular season"... some recruiting notes.... Three games in it looks like the 2020 lass will yield three starters. (Meza, DellaPeruta, and Tolentino. For me the surprise is Tolentino in that she was pretty much under the radar as a Pittsburgh verbal commitment until she had a great year last year and go t noticed more widely, giving her the leverage to change her mind and come to UNC, her first choice as a Tarheel fan living just an hour away from Chapel Hill. (Her older brother plays on the baseball team for UNC.) In addition to these three, I think that Abby Allen should show well as the season goes along... she's currently spelling for Emily Fox at midfield, although her position prior to UNC was always central defender. I'm also looking for Molly Baker to show well when she returns from injury. Looking forward, while the 2021 class elicits hope from fans that one or more of the 7 member class will exceed expectations, the 2022 class is looking better and better as several more outstanding prospects have been added to what already was an excellent class. We have been aware since April of 2019 of the 6 players committed prior to that time, and those include a top forward in diminutive Allyson Sentnor from Massachusetts, a top level keeper from California (Nona Reason), two strong defenders (Kayleigh Herr from Cary, and Tessa Dellarose from PIttsburgh), Kate Faasse a forward from Arizona, and Talia DellaPeruta's little sister Tori, a top scoring midfielder in club ball.) Recent additions to the 2022 class have been two promising forwards in Madeline Dahlien, a speedy forward from Minnesota and Madelyn Galbus from Pennsylvania and top defender Sydney Cheesman from Colorado. If defense wins championships then this 2022 class should make the Heels a contender for four years. While Sentnor is likely to start immediately the other three forwards in this class will have to show significant development to see much playing time IMO. But that is what good recruiting is all about... spotting those who have the potential to develop.
Looking at their recruits for the next few years, it’s safe to say they will be much better than Stanford. Return of UNC dynasty?
Apparently Carolina beat Clemson 2-0 today. Game was streaming on ACC Network but could not watch because it was blacked out in Chapel Hill. That makes a lot of sense, of course, to allow no fans at the game and then black out the streaming.
For some reason, it was showing on Fox Sports (Fox-Carolinas?), which I was able to find via Hulu. Frustrating. I missed the first 10+ minutes.
Well....I wouldn't necessarily go that far, but the Heels should be competitive at the top levels for the next 6 years or so. Parity in the top levels of Division I women's soccer has arrived. Stanford, USC, and UCLA on the west coast should be also very strong in the coming years given their recruiting prowess. But so will be FSU, UNC, Virginia, and possibly Clemson in the ACC. Add in Penn State and Duke on the east coast and Washington State and maybe Santa Clara, on the west coast, and perhaps up and coming Texas with a dynamite recruiting class next year, Notre Dame building back up, and even Harvard has a string of quality players signing up .....Anything could happen! But quality players are only part of the equation. It would be hard to underestimate the importance of coaches in setting the tone and motivation for the teams. And in this regard, Anson is one of the very best, and so long as he remains in charge, one can never count out UNC. He's 69 now, and will likely be around for 3 to 5 more years, and his successor will be be key to the Heel's future after that.
Stanford has hit a bit of a wall recruiting wise but they've had two huge pick ups in the Thompson siters. But overall yes UNC is looking very strong going forward. Had Moultrie not decided to turn pro, UNC would have the Top player in the country for 3 consecutive years.
Having watched the games, i can say Samantha Meza looks really good..i've been very impressed. I knew coming in Meza and Dellaperuta would be good but they've exceeded my expectations. Tolentino has been a pleasant surprise..her ability to whip in dangerous crosses and corners will be an asset. I saw a clip of her once curling a strike from about 40 yards and smacking the post when she played at nc youth. she's definitely got a strong foot.
Recruiting is going to be very interesting. Programs who have made a lot of verbals well in advance may feel a little crunch based on this year. Players staying an extra year is going to cause some promises not to be kept.
Is UNC still banning fans from its soccer games? If so, is there a way to stand above the field and watch some of the action without actually going inside the field complex?
Not too much to write about on this thread.... Old news is that Virginia had to cancel because of injuries and covid. Anson was quite understanding in his comments a the time. Adding that the coaches supported each other in making tough decisions. ...But it was disappointing in that a Virginia game would have been the only real test of the season, given that FSU is not on our schedule (until the ACC tourney.) And speaking of FSU, I understand that Kirkorian has said that this year's team is his most talented ever. It will be interesting. This past travel weekend was pretty predictable courtesy of Syracuse and Boston College. Everyone on the travel squad got significant minutes. Next up is Duke on Friday. It will be interesting to see how that match goes compared to the statistically fairly even match 4 weeks ago. (The 2-0 score was an own goal by Duke and a good goal by Izzy Brown just before half time.) Which team has improved the most?
I left off wondering which team has improved since the last Duke vs UNC game a month ago. That game was pretty statistically even with UNC getting a 2-0 result. Last night's game showed a 14-8 shot advantage and a 9-3 corner kicks, but the shots on goal were essentially even, with UNC winning via courtesy of a Duke own goal. Duke is a strong team, and should do well next spring. UNC is now 7-0 with Louisville next Thursday and back home on Sunday to take on Notre Dame to finish up the fall regular season. On the COVID front, i appears that UNC woso has not had a problem in that regard as no players have been unexplainably missing. (That is if one doesnlt count the complete absence all season of frosh Kai Hayes, Avery Patterson, and Millie Baker (the latter recovering from injury), and 5th year senior Brooke Bingham. Anyone have any insight on these players... especially Brooke?
I do not know. In comments before the season started from Anson regarding the freshman class, as an aside he mentioned Baker as a strong member of the class once she recovered from her injury....
The only thing I've heard about Brooke Bingham is that she either had a setback with her injury or suffered a second knee injury. It's a sad situation, as she hasn't been with the team this season (as she was last season). The other interesting thing I heard the other night at the game (watched from outside the stadium with several fans/family members) is that none of the seniors will be participating in the Spring, specifically Emily Fox.
Thanks, nocarters, for the info. I am disappointed that Brooke will then not likely be back at all. She was an excellent defender and really made a difference in the 2018 run. She also always seemed to be up-beat and encouraging her teammates. So if what you heard is true, then next spring we will be missing 4 seniors who as juniors were key players in last year's run to the championship game. All of whom, IMO, will be playing professional soccer. Lotte and Alessia have already signed with top English sides and will get looks on the English senior team, Emily is still in the running to add to her US senior team caps, and Taylor will surely be playing pro ball either in the NWSL or over seas. (If, of course, a proven COVID-19 vaccine has been widely distributed!)
I hope for UNC's sake, this info is incorrect. IMO that will cheapen the NCAAT if many seniors do likewise. Of course it may happen everywhere. I haven't heard anything about FSU seniors.