The UNC women’s soccer team is ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, just behind defending national champion UCLA at No. 1. The Bruins received all eight first-place votes.

The Tar Heels are among a host of ACC teams featured in the poll, with Notre Dame, Duke, Virginia and Florida State behind Carolina at Nos. 3-6. No. 14 Pittsburgh and No. 25 Clemson are also included in the poll.

The Tar Heels are coming off a national runner-up finish in 2022 and are seeking their first national championship since 2012. Multiple key players from last season’s squad return in 2023, including midfielder Avery Patterson (who scored two goals in the championship match), striker Ally Sentnor, defender Maycee Bell and goalkeeper Emmie Allen.

The team’s 2023 schedule is a difficult one, as Carolina will face four of the ACC’s six other ranked teams in the regular season. The non-conference schedule also includes matchups against No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 10 Penn State, No. 12 South Carolina and No. 22 USC. The Tar Heels will open the season with an exhibition against College of Charleston on August 7, with the regular-season opener on the road against the Nittany Lions scheduled for August 17.

For a full look at the United Soccer Coaches poll, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter

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