Top Drawer Soccer released its annual women’s soccer freshman Best XI teams on Wednesday, with a pair of Tar Heels earning a spot on the rosters.

Defender Taylor Otto–a native of nearby Apex–was named a First Team selection, while forward Alessia Russo garnered a place on the Second Team.

Both players were integral to helping the Tar Heels (17-3-2) to a great regular season and their first ACC Tournament title since 2009.

Otto started 19 games as a center back for head coach Anson Dorrance, and scored four goals and tallied two assists this year–including a hat trick against South Florida, the first by a Tar Heel in four seasons.

Russo, meanwhile, was the ACC’s Co-Freshman of the Year and the MVP of the ACC Tournament. The England native started 18 games and led the team with nine goals.

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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