Thursday night marks the start of the 2021 UNC women’s soccer season. It also ends a remarkably short offseason for the program, as the opening match against Washington comes just three months and six days after the team’s season ended in the College Cup in May. But head coach Anson Dorrance said he isn’t worried about the short turnaround, comparing it to top international soccer leagues like the English Premier League.
“This happens all over the world, that the season starts in August and ends then [in May],” Dorrance told reporters Tuesday. “And of course the brutality and the level of that league is nowhere compared to what our girls are going through. So the transition is actually appropriate. It’s appropriate to the way the game is played all over the world. It’s fantastic for all the teams and all the players.”
UNC’s spring 2021 postseason campaign ended with a 3-1 loss to eventual champions Santa Clara in the national semifinals. Despite the heartbreak, Dorrance said that every loss is a chance to learn.
“For me, it’s much better to reconstruct a new mission and a direction following a loss,” he said. “Sometimes, the challenge is after you win a national championship, how do you sustain it? And sometimes you forget what got you there. But when you lose it’s very clear, the things you’ve got to work on a bit so… the nice thing about ending last season with a loss is, we’ve got some work to do. And so, we’ve been working.”
A challenge for the team this season will be depth: Dorrance alluded to the fact that the team’s College Cup run in the spring was without its seniors, who had turned pro. He said the team’s youth means much of the 2021 season will be unpredictable.
UNC’s Rachel Jones (#10), was named preseason first-team All-ACC. She and the Tar Heels will have to perform without Brianna Pinto (#8), who turned pro in 2021. (Image via Carolina Athletics)
Under Dorrance, Tar Heels have won 21 national championships, but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2012, the longest drought for the program since their first title in 1982. Dorrance said he relishes the extra challenge of winning another title, crediting the growth of the game for the added competition.
“I love that. I love that our game is more embraced. More teams are taking it seriously. More investments are made in the teams we compete with,” Dorrance said. “And that’s just so positive for the game, because as you well know, we’re pioneers here. And part of being a pioneer is the realization that if you’ve done it properly, things are gonna change in a very aggressive way that are gonna make it harder for you to completely dominate.”
No. 19 Washington is only the first of seven ranked opponents Carolina will host in Chapel Hill this fall. No. 13 Arkansas will visit on Sunday. Between the loaded home schedule and the talent on the pitch, Dorrance said UNC students should mark their calendars for each and every game.
“This is mandatory viewing… Please come to the game. I know you’ll enjoy it,” he said. “What you’ll enjoy is you’ll enjoy the atmosphere, you’ll enjoy the passion of your fellow students, you’ll love watching these young women play because I certainly do. So whether or not you’re a committed soccer fan or just a fan of the university, or just a student that doesn’t know what to do on a Thursday night in Chapel Hill at 7 p.m., come to the game.”
As far as the more distant future is concerned, the 70-year-old Dorrance said he’s not going anywhere.
“I love what I do. My wife is retired and I’m sure she’d love for me to retire. I am loving going into work every day, these kids are great,” Dorrance said. “And do we have a challenge ahead of us this year, especially with the fact that we don’t have any of last year’s seniors? Yes, it is a challenge. But am I looking forward to the challenge? Absolutely!”
You can watch the Tar Heels and Huskies kick things off at Dorrance Field Thursday night, or stream online on ACC Network Extra.
Featured image via Carolina Athletics
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