Top Drawer Soccer released its annual Preseason Best XI teams on Tuesday, with a pair of Tar Heels making the cut.

Senior midfielder Mauricio Pineda was named a First Team selection, while freshman defender Blake Malone took a spot on the All-Freshman team.

Pineda–the UNC captain–was a Second Team All-American last year and has been an All-ACC performer in each of his three seasons in Chapel Hill. For his career, he has totaled 12 goals and six assists.

Malone, meanwhile, arrives on campus as the No. 2 ranked defender in Top Drawer Soccer’s incoming freshman class. He has spent time with the United States U19 National Team and was the captain of the Seattle Sounders’ academy team last season.

The duo will lead the Tar Heels into their regular season opener on Friday against Creighton, the team’s first in its new on-campus stadium.

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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