The UNC women’s soccer program suffered a huge loss this past weekend, when rising seniors Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy each announced via social media that they are leaving the program in order to pursue professional opportunities.
Their departures comes amid the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming fall college sports season.
Although the ACC has committed to playing fall sports, there have been no schedules released for sports other than football. The NCAA also canceled fall championships earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the hopes to play those games in the spring.
Both Russo and Wubben-Moy are from England and have spent time playing for the country’s youth national teams and senior club teams.
Russo made an appearance for Chelsea and seven more for Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2016-17 season. Wubben-Moy made 12 appearances for the Arsenal Ladies, with her debut coming at the age of 16.
At UNC, Russo scored 28 goals and dished out nine assists in her three years on campus–earning the 2018 ACC Offensive Player of the Year award along the way. Wubben-Moy started as a defender for the Tar Heels in 58 of the 62 games she appeared in, and finishes her college career with six goals and 12 assists.
Earlier this year, UNC women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance told ESPN he didn’t support having a season in the fall if there is no NCAA championship to play for.
“All the elite teams have players that can sign pro contracts right now, so it would be extraordinarily selfish for any of us to ask a player to stay [without a championship to play for],” Dorrance said.
Photo via Dakota Moyer
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines