Another fine showing by our student athletes
UNC Women's Soccer 2026-2027
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There was a lot to like last night even if Fairfield was completely outmatched. Being the better team mitigated some less-than-perfect play at times. They were a bit sloppy on fundamentals, but it's early. Crazy how Fairfield was so worried about the wing (why??) that they left the middle of the field wide open.
I like Hope in the striking position. She was spraying shots all over the place last night, but at least she was taking them. I was afraid that I was going to have to sacrifice my hat. I think Devey figured it out in the second half. They could be the answer to the offense. Just need to put them on frame. It really should have been 7-0.
Brutal hot, but a decent crowd.
I like Hope in the striking position. She was spraying shots all over the place last night, but at least she was taking them. I was afraid that I was going to have to sacrifice my hat. I think Devey figured it out in the second half. They could be the answer to the offense. Just need to put them on frame. It really should have been 7-0.
Brutal hot, but a decent crowd.
I'm by no means an expert but several observations:
1. Trayer looked legit in goal- I know she was hardly tested but she looked calm and collected on the one shot on goal and her presence the entire match.
2. Our passing (besides the times we got lackadaisical) was impressive
3. Transfers look solid- I don't think Denigan had a good game (minus the nice assist) but I do think she will be key for us. Blum was solid.
4. Antonucci is going to be special.
5. Seems like a lot of potential key players didn't play. I know Manning and Deus are with National team. But does anyone have insight into Mara, Malsom, or Bradley?
6. Excited for the season. Go Heels!
1. Trayer looked legit in goal- I know she was hardly tested but she looked calm and collected on the one shot on goal and her presence the entire match.
2. Our passing (besides the times we got lackadaisical) was impressive
3. Transfers look solid- I don't think Denigan had a good game (minus the nice assist) but I do think she will be key for us. Blum was solid.
4. Antonucci is going to be special.
5. Seems like a lot of potential key players didn't play. I know Manning and Deus are with National team. But does anyone have insight into Mara, Malsom, or Bradley?
6. Excited for the season. Go Heels!
first time I heard this for the 2026-27 season, love it!
Couple of freshmen stood out to me - Cali O'Neill and Sam Rich.
Cali was playing great in back, fast and dribbled ball upfield taking players on, liked that.
Sam got mins late but looked aggressive, physical and was good on the wing.
Loved their energy!
Cali was playing great in back, fast and dribbled ball upfield taking players on, liked that.
Sam got mins late but looked aggressive, physical and was good on the wing.
Loved their energy!
I saw Kuklick, Dearie and Bradley on the sideline, (based on the numbers on their shirts), but not in uniform. I did not see Mara, but that doesn't mean she wasn't there.
Yes, Fairfield is one of the best mid major teams. I would not say that they are over matched because any team can get beat on any given day. There was an upset on Wednesday night with one of our ACC teams that was ranked. Two of our teams in the conference played two mid major teams and their games ended in a tie. Please keep in mind folks that our team is relatively young made up of more freshmen and sophomores. We lost a lot of scoring from last years' team. I think 68%. I glad we do have the transfers that came in to provide leadership, guidance, knowledge, etc for the newbies, but they are also new to our system. You have to give Damon and his coaching staff credit for the game plan that they came up with to neutralize Fairfield and to prevent them from doing what they like to do. We have a lot of young talent on our team, and it is going to take some time. Fairfield team had a lot of veterans on it and players coming back. I am glad that our women came out and took it to them. Our schedule is going to get tough each week. I loved the way Damon and his staff played those talented freshmen. Three or four of them started and a lot of them came off of the bench. We didn't have Deus and Manning last night which are two more talented freshmen. They are going to miss the first three games since they got call up to play with the U17 team, and we have three players still out, 2 for the rest of this year, and hopefully we can get Bradley back soon. She got hurt last year and has not played since. Does anybody know what Bradley's status is? When is she going to be able to come back and play this year? etc.
I thought yesterday's game showed a lot of promise. I'm not sold on Aven as a CB. She's shifty and at times your CB has to be physical. Her trying to shiftily get a ball around someone when she needed to be a bit more physical almost led to a goal.
I thought most of the freshmen that played showed a ton of promise for us. I really liked Ella Martinez and Sealy Strawn. Strawn kind of reminds me of Linda Ullmark and is wearing her old number.
I think Blum and Pennie were my players of the match. At the beginning of the game it looked like Pennie was going to do what she did all last year which was playing the ball back instead of trying quickly initiate offense, but she really switched that up. That poor kid needs to see the ball hit the back of the net!
Someone mentioned Samantha Rich - I really liked her motor. She plays with a grit that I liked...
We also still are waiting for Shaela Bradley to be cleared from last year's injury, too... so another midfielder piece.
I thought most of the freshmen that played showed a ton of promise for us. I really liked Ella Martinez and Sealy Strawn. Strawn kind of reminds me of Linda Ullmark and is wearing her old number.
I think Blum and Pennie were my players of the match. At the beginning of the game it looked like Pennie was going to do what she did all last year which was playing the ball back instead of trying quickly initiate offense, but she really switched that up. That poor kid needs to see the ball hit the back of the net!
Someone mentioned Samantha Rich - I really liked her motor. She plays with a grit that I liked...
We also still are waiting for Shaela Bradley to be cleared from last year's injury, too... so another midfielder piece.
Remember against SC, Manning assisted Summer on her goal that won the exhibition game. I really liked Martinez, Rich, Pennie, Blum, Summer, O'Neil, Antonucci, Trayer, and Sealy. I also think Manning and Deus is going to help out tremendously. When Bradley gets back that should take us to another level.
Pennie had 12 shots with 5 on goal in 21 games last year. She had 4 and 2 last night.
I am so happy about Pennie progress so far this year as compared to last year. I truly believed most of it has to be confidence and the position that she was playing last season.
Devey header gives her b-t-b braces.
And gets a hat trick a minute later.
And gets a hat trick a minute later.
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Blum gets goal #5. Jayden Daniels ain't happy about it.
The team is continuing to build chemistry and connectiveness with all the new players on this team. The transfer portal brought in needed veteran leadership, calmness, and experience while the freshmen bring talent, explosiveness, etc. This is a nice combination that Damon and his staff have put together; however, the schedule is going to get tough and they will take some lumps along the way. I hope our fans will be patient and not be quick to turn on this team as we move into the tougher part of our schedule. I love the way Damon and his staff are playing the youngsters because we are going to need them when some of our players are called up to play for team USA. I am very please to what I am seeing from this team. Also we do have a few players missing and when they come back this can only help. Go Heels!
Tongberg's goal made me smile- the way the bench went crazy and celebrating her like they won a championship was awesome and hopefully speaks alot about this team. A kid that obviously bleeds Carolina Blue who has battled on practice squad and finally scores her 1st collegiate goal in her JR year. BTW it was a nice shot as well.
Sentnor had an absolute banger for Angel City.
bsky.app
CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social)
Ally Sentnor had her first goal taken away, this one is spectacular
bsky.app
The team passed the initial tests extremely well. We'll know after Thursday if they've just been feasting on cupcakes or if they've really got something.
Maybe they've figured out the offense, but I think it remains to be seen against real defenses. Adding Manning into this and they actually might have something. Blum and Dennigan are going to have to be a threat. Hopefully the experience of the wingers is going to pay off.
From the double sixes back, they're a solid defense. Options and depth. I think this is as good as I've seen in a while.
It was just too hot yesterday to sit in the sun. We opted for the streaming.
From the double sixes back, they're a solid defense. Options and depth. I think this is as good as I've seen in a while.
It was just too hot yesterday to sit in the sun. We opted for the streaming.
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