It seems the ACC is a complete toss-up in women’s soccer. The conference’s annual preseason poll was released Thursday morning, and it featured a logjam at the top between four elite programs.

Duke was voted No. 1 with 156 points, Virginia No. 2 with 153, Carolina No. 3 with 150 and defending national champions Florida State No. 4 with 143. The conference’s 14 first-place votes were split almost evenly among the four schools: Duke received three, Virginia four, UNC four and Florida State three. For a full look at the poll, click here.

Interestingly, the ACC poll does not reflect the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll Top 25, which ranked the Seminoles No. 1, Duke No. 2, Virginia No. 4 and Carolina No. 10.

The preseason All-ACC team was also released Thursday, and it featured two Tar Heels: senior defender Maycee Bell and junior midfielder Sam Meza.

It’s yet another preseason honor for Bell, who was named to the United Soccer Coaches Watch List earlier this week. Meza was named second team All-ACC in 2021, starting 16 matches and scoring two goals, including a game-winner in overtime. She is also a member of the U.S. U23 National Team.

The women’s soccer team will play its final preseason match Saturday against No. 3 BYU before beginning the regular season on Thursday, August 18 against No. 11 Tennessee at Dorrance Field.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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