After an undefeated week for both the UNC women’s and men’s soccer programs, the latest polls from United Soccer Coaches reflected the Tar Heels’ successes. The women’s team held firm as a unanimous No. 1 in the third poll of the season after starting the year at No. 10. On the men’s side, Carolina rose 11 spots from its preseason No. 24 spot to No. 13 in the season’s second poll.

On the women’s side, four other ACC teams are ranked: No. 2 Duke, No. 5 Virginia, No. 10 Florida State (the defending national champions) and No. 16 Notre Dame. Carolina plays all but the Fighting Irish during the regular season.

The women’s team is 4-0 on the young season. The Tar Heels have barely been challenged in those four matches, outscoring opponents 13-0. Their next two matches this week each could provide a stiffer test: a true road matchup with Missouri on Thursday afternoon, then a home match with No. 3 UCLA at Dorrance Field on Sunday.

The No. 13 men are joined in the poll by five other ACC teams: defending national champions Clemson are at No. 1, Pittsburgh is No. 2, Wake Forest No. 5, Duke No. 17 and Notre Dame No. 22. The Fighting Irish fell 18 spots from a preseason No. 4 ranking.

Like the women, the men face some stiffer competition in their next few games. Florida International visits Dorrance Field this Saturday, and while the Panthers are only receiving votes in the latest poll, they began the year ranked No. 18. The next game will be even tougher: a home showdown next Friday night with No. 2 Pittsburgh.

For a full look at the women’s poll, click here. For the men’s poll, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

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