My thoughts exactly. I saw the same thing. There were times that Devey was up top all along against 3 or 4 defenders. I was like where are the other midfielders? Why are they not up here helping Devey? Then it hit me, they are tired and they do not have the energy to sprint up the field to help Devey. This is a clear sign that they were out of gas and they need a break which means Damon needs to sub them out for a short break. This was the perfect time for Mara and Roosien, Martinez, and Rich to come in for a few minutes. He has got to get this under control. No one should be playing all 90 minutes a game. He has too much talent which should enable him not to do this. Bradley should have played more than 7 minutes. I want to know why the assistant coachers are not helping him with the substitution patterns. Are they scared to say something?
UNC Women's Soccer 2026-2027
- Thread starter 3397char
- Start date
Will never complain about a multi goal ranked road win in conference play
I will say this....definitely agree that when up 3-0 you do change your tactics a bit and look to retain possession and not commit as many players forward since you don't need goals at that point. And it was definitely a great win. But I would not call in "dominant" at all. The soccer gods smiled on us and we put up 3 quick goals in about a 5 minute span...the first goal was beautiful, the second and third had elements of good fortune....a hopeful long ball and UVA's back line were pushed too far up field and they had a slow CB marking a speedy Devey led to an easy breakway...props to Devey for making it count, but getting all alone breakaways isn't something you can count on almost ever against top teams. And the third goal (while it involved some nice moves by Manning) was a fortunate accidental handball leading to a PK. The second half we created less chances, got outscored, and probably out-possessed. And were fortunate they didn't score at least one more. I just can't consider that "dominant".
The concern there is really just making sure your team retains its focus and plays to a standard. You can't get in the habit of thinking you can just flip the switch on and off when you need/want to. Every team I've ever played on or coached...when that was the mentality, it always came back to burn us later in the year when the breaks didn't fall our way. So that's all my point was....I definitely agree that you will naturally be less aggressive tactically with a nice lead, but it was more of the quality drop off as the game went on that concerns me. I have my eyes on being ready for what we'll face against the best of the best later in the year when a title is on the line.
I remain convinced though that it was more of a tired legs thing than anything else. The girls are human, and expecting them to be as jacked up for every game as they were for dook is not realistic. As for your point about maybe Damon wanting players used to playing at the depth we'll have in October...I think the two players we are losing are Manning and Stanislaus....if that's really his concern, then Manning shouldn't have been starting or playing nearly the whole game, and Roosien should have gotten some time so she's ready to step in there. Manning was one of the most noticeable players whose effectiveness waned as that game went on. She is such a massive threat down that left side when she has fresh legs, but we saw very little of that in the second half last night. As for Deus (being absent soon), I think Antonucci and Denigan getting back on the field will more than fill in for that role, so we're good there.
I'm with you though....we are ranked #1, so Damon is doing WAY more right than wrong. But being ranked #1 comes with a bullseye....UNC already carries that burden as is, we are everyone's biggest game it feels like...but even moreso right now. So our margin for error is going to be smaller....have to maintain our standard of play/focus/intensity a bit more consistently throughout the game, and using our depth of talent a little more seems like the best way to get there.
Certainly not trying to knock your points though....I think for the most part we are on the same page, and honestly I'm just appreciative of having some other knowledgeable / interested people to talk about the team with. I just love this program and want to see them continue this momentum into the postseason.
We got a lot of help in the conference today. three draws including dook scoreless against Pitt, plus VT taking their 1st loss. Every other team except ND has dropped at least 3 points already, and ND has dropped 2.
It’ll be tough, like most ACC games, but I’ll take our squad against anyone in the country.
Some publicity for a Tar Heel to be:
www.espn.com
Reyna legacy grows with Carolina named to U.S. U17 WWC roster
Carolina Reyna, sister of United States men's national team midfielder Gio Reyna, has been named to the United States' U17 Women's World Cup roster.
www.espn.com
Notre Dame was ranked #2 in the preseason; they have talent. And like us they recently regained multiple top players whe were at the U-20 World Cup. I think they will figure it out at some point this season, I just hope it is not this week.
They have not lost a game yet this year. 4-0-3 at home 0-0-3 on the road. those ties include a couple of head scratchers, but they also tied #2 Mich St (who beat us) and #6 dook (who we beat). So I would expect a real battle.
We should retain Manning and Stanislaus for at least this game, the only game this week. But at some point they leave for Morocco. Game one is 10/19 and team USA typically departs one to two weeks prior. I sure hope we keep them for FSU on 10/9. I know FSU has struggled quite a bit so far, but they too will put it together at some point.
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2026 Women's Soccer Standings
| SCHOOL | Pts. | ACC | Pct. | GF-GA | Overall | Pct. | Home | Away | Neutral | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 9 | 3-0 | 1.000 | 39-7 | 10-1 | .909 | 6-1 | 4-0 | 0-0 | W7 |
| Louisville | 8 | 2-0-2 | .750 | 31-11 | 8-1-2 | .818 | 5-1-1 | 3-0-1 | 0-0 | T2 |
| Notre Dame | 7 | 2-0-1 | .833 | 24-8 | 4-0-6 | .700 | 4-0-3 | 0-0-3 | 0-0 | T1 |
| NC State | 7 | 2-1-1 | .625 | 35-11 | 9-1-2 | .833 | 5-1 | 4-0-2 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Clemson | 7 | 2-1-1 | .625 | 23-9 | 6-2-3 | .682 | 4-0-2 | 2-2-1 | 0-0 | T1 |
| Wake Forest | 6 | 2-1 | .667 | 19-4 | 9-1 | .900 | 6-0 | 3-1 | 0-0 | L1 |
| Virginia Tech | 6 | 2-1 | .667 | 21-13 | 6-2-3 | .682 | 2-1-2 | 4-1-1 | 0-0 | L1 |
| Miami | 6 | 2-2 | .500 | 18-13 | 7-3-1 | .682 | 2-1-1 | 5-2 | 0-0 | L1 |
| Duke | 5 | 1-1-2 | .500 | 30-9 | 6-1-3 | .750 | 4-0-1 | 2-1-2 | 0-0 | T2 |
| Boston College | 4 | 1-2-1 | .375 | 29-13 | 8-2-1 | .773 | 5-1 | 3-1-1 | 0-0 | T1 |
| Stanford | 4 | 1-2-1 | .375 | 27-8 | 7-2-2 | .727 | 5-1-1 | 2-1-1 | 0-0 | T1 |
| California | 4 | 1-2-1 | .375 | 10-12 | 4-4-4 | .500 | 3-1-3 | 1-3-1 | 0-0 | W2 |
| Virginia | 3 | 1-2 | .333 | 19-7 | 5-2-2 | .667 | 5-1-1 | 0-1-1 | 0-0 | L1 |
| Syracuse | 3 | 1-3 | .250 | 10-10 | 4-5-2 | .455 | 3-2-2 | 1-3 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Florida State | 2 | 0-0-2 | .500 | 15-7 | 4-1-3 | .688 | 1-0-2 | 3-1-1 | 0-0 | T3 |
| SMU | 1 | 0-2-1 | .167 | 26-12 | 5-3-3 | .591 | 5-0-3 | 0-3 | 0-0 | T1 |
| Pitt | 1 | 0-3-1 | .125 | 18-13 | 6-4-2 | .583 | 3-2-1 | 3-2-1 | 0-0 | T1 |
NCAA has finally started updating RPI so the official one is up here
Sorted for ACC teams only:
| Rank | School | Record | Conf | Road | Neutral | Home | Non-Div I | Prev |
|---|
| 3 | North Carolina | 10-1-0 | ACC | 4-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 6-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 3 |
| 5 | Wake Forest | 9-1-0 | ACC | 3-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 6-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 5 |
| 8 | Virginia | 5-2-2 | ACC | 0-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 5-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 8 |
| 13 | Stanford | 7-2-2 | ACC | 2-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 5-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 10 |
| 16 | Clemson | 6-2-3 | ACC | 2-2-1 | 0-0-0 | 4-0-2 | 0-0-0 | 16 |
| 18 | Boston College | 8-2-1 | ACC | 3-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 5-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 19 |
| 26 | NC State | 9-1-2 | ACC | 4-0-2 | 0-0-0 | 5-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 25 |
| 27 | Notre Dame | 4-0-6 | ACC | 0-0-3 | 0-0-0 | 4-0-3 | 0-0-0 | 27 |
| 28 | Duke | 6-1-3 | ACC | 2-1-2 | 0-0-0 | 4-0-1 | 0-0-0 | 28 |
| 36 | Louisville | 8-1-2 | ACC | 3-0-1 | 0-0-0 | 5-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 35 |
| 37 | Miami (FL) | 7-3-1 | ACC | 5-2-0 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 37 |
| 40 | SMU | 5-3-3 | ACC | 0-3-0 | 0-0-0 | 5-0-3 | 0-0-0 | 40 |
| 54 | Syracuse | 4-5-2 | ACC | 1-3-0 | 0-0-0 | 3-2-2 | 0-0-0 | 55 |
| 61 | Virginia Tech | 6-2-3 | ACC | 4-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-2 | 0-0-0 | 63 |
| 69 | Pittsburgh | 6-4-2 | ACC | 3-2-1 | 0-0-0 | 3-2-1 | 0-0-0 | 70 |
| 71 | Florida St. | 4-1-3 | ACC | 3-1-1 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-2 | 0-0-0 | 71 |
| 89 | California | 4-4-4 | ACC | 1-3-1 | 0-0-0 | 3-1-3 | 0-0-0 | 84 |
Shocking to see FSU in the cellar. They basically have beaten no one so far. UGA looked like a good win but they too fell off a cliff.
They have an immediate opportunity to beat some real teams in the ACC. Their next three are #16 Clemson, #3 UNC and #5 WF. But if they log three losses there and they are probably not going to make the tournament as the rest of their schedule is outside the top 25.
We have to do what EM said in Field Hockey. We have to take it one game at our time. Play to our strengths. Respect the opponent, and follow our game plan and dictate our will on the field.
I will feel a little better if Stratton is back and starting. If she misses another game, I will be concerned. If she’s healthy and doesn’t start, I’ll be perplexed. That’s the biggest thing I’m watching going in. After that, we’ll see…will be a difficult match, we’ll have to earn it.
Hopefully we’re getting back to being healthy and Antonucci and Denigan are back at or closer to full speed. Both looked a bit rusty last time out (understandably so). Also assuming Trayer has recovered from her illness and will be back in goal…?
And of course, how does Damon manage the bench and substitutions.
Hopefully we’re getting back to being healthy and Antonucci and Denigan are back at or closer to full speed. Both looked a bit rusty last time out (understandably so). Also assuming Trayer has recovered from her illness and will be back in goal…?
And of course, how does Damon manage the bench and substitutions.
Was thinking she was under the weather last week- any word on injury/sickness? Summer not starting is interesting.
Amari Manning,
Please stay 5 years.
Please.
Up 3-1
Please stay 5 years.
Please.
Up 3-1
I thought in Duke game she had to have had a concussion. That's what I figured in her missing UVA but man that's scary if it is a concussion and lingering this long.
That is the same question I have. Is she still hurt? It looked like she was dressed out.
Is it me or am I missing something here. It seems like the announcers are pumping up ND a lot. They kept mentioning how many players were out with the USA team, etc. Man, I know Matt and Kathy are not trying to me bias, but come on we are playing in our own stadium, give our young women some love.
I think they’re just trying reading off their notes during a blowout.
Kathy’s obviously a Tar Heel, so she might just shy away to appear to not be biased.
Yeah, but remember when we lost the first game of the season to Michigan State which was at home nobody made any excuses, etc. The announcers did not say our team was new with a lot of freshmen and transfers who were still learning to play with one another etc. I would just like for them to be fair with their statements. Case in point the team down the road (Duke), I do not care what sport it is the announcers will always pump them up, and make excuses when they lose. The funny thing about it is they will pump them up even when they are playing on the road.
Great win. A fine showing for our young women. Go Heels!
Yeah, I do agree they do pump up others.
I was at the MSU game, so wasn’t aware of that specifically. It was nice that during our game against Duke they did recognize we had so many players out though. Just made it sweeter.
Another fine showing by our student athletes
Stratton was dressed out today on the bench
Great night to be in the stadium. I love this team they can score obviously it’s a long season and anything can happen, but I would take this side against anybody.
Really liked our offense and I may be Manning’s #1 fan. But PLEASE, play those over the top long balls better. They scare me to death.
I am going to assume that she is still recovering from the concussion protocols.
Great win and another fine showing by our young women. Go Heels!
They talked about UNC’s injuries and absences all game as well, past and present.
speaking of which, they confirmed this was the last game for Stanislaus and Manning.
also confirmed that Trayer’s issue is illness.
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