UNC senior defender Maycee Bell and junior midfielder Sam Meza have each been named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s Players to Watch list at their positions.

Bell was named a second team All-American by United Soccer Coaches in 2021, as well as to the first team All-Atlantic Region and first team All-ACC. A stalwart presence on head coach Anson Dorrance’s back line, Bell started all 17 matches in which she played last season and logged 1,443 minutes. In 13 of those matches, Bell played at least 90 minutes, including three double-overtime matches. She scored two goals (including an overtime game-winner) and collected an assist as a junior. Including her freshman and sophomore seasons, Bell has made 55 starts in 56 games as a Tar Heel.

In addition, Bell was named to the watch list for the Hermann Trophy, which honors the National Player of the Year as determined by the coaches.

Like Bell, Meza is a preseason All-ACC selection for 2022. Meza was named second team All-ACC last season, starting all 16 matches she played at midfielder. Meza scored two goals and collected an assist last season, with a highlight being a game-winning overtime goal against Arkansas.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

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