After both sides made runs to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2023, the UNC men’s and women’s soccer teams are each ranked in the Top 10 of the United Soccer Coaches’ preseason poll. The men’s team is ranked No. 6 and the women’s team is tied with Texas Tech at No. 8.

On the men’s side the Tar Heels are joined in the Top 10 by numerous ACC foes. Defending national champions Clemson reign at No. 1, while last season’s national runners-up Notre Dame sit at No. 2. ACC debutants Stanford (No. 5) and SMU (No. 10) also featured in the Top 10. Virginia (No. 14), Wake Forest (No. 14), Duke, (No. 20), Louisville (No. 24) and Syracuse (No. 25) are also ranked, giving the ACC 10 teams in the poll’s Top 25, the most of any conference. For a full look at the poll, click here.

The men’s team will host an exhibition against Campbell at Dorrance Field at 7 p.m. on August 10 and will play a road exhibition at UNC-Wilmington on August 16 before opening the season at UAB on August 22.

The women’s team is also joined by several ACC teams at the top of its respective poll. Defending national champions Florida State are the unanimous No. 1 team, while Stanford slots in at No. 2. No. 5 Clemson and No. 7 Pittsburgh are also in the Top 10, with No. 15 Notre Dame and No. 24 Duke earning rankings as well. For a full look at the poll, click here.

Head coach Anson Dorrance returns several contributors from 2023’s national quarterfinalists, including defender Tessa Dellarose, midfielder Bella Sember and forward Maddie Dahlien. The Tar Heels will host Davidson in an exhibition at Dorrance Field at 1 p.m. on August 10 before opening the season at Denver on August 15.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Ainsley E. Fauth


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