UNC Women’s Soccer 2025-2026

[3397char]

Here are our current 2026 Commits:

• Sealey Strawn Fwd - TX - Ignite Christian Academy - Solar Soccer Club - USA YNT training camp
• Samantha Rich F - CA - Lamorinda Soccer Club - U15 USYNT
• Wylie Roossien F - MA - FC Stars
• Peyton Trayer GK - CA - Slammers HB Køge - IMG Top 150 for Class of 2026 (#72 overall; #5 GK)
• Deus Stanislaus M - MD - Players Development Academy - U15 USYNT
• Leah Kuklick D/M - NC - NC Courage Academy
• Cali O'Neill D - NC - NC Courage Academy
• Maggie Currie M/F - CA - Mountain View Los Altos SC (MVLA)

Eres Freifeld aka Charmion Freifeld F - CA - San Diego Surf (USA YNT) reclassified to 2025

 

[3397char]

My summary Of the roster for the upcoming season:

Transfers:

• Soph MF Shaela Bradley from Rutgers: TDS #12 ranked NCAA freshman, B1G All Freshman team as a perep 1st team All-American, Wash Gatorade POY
• Grad D Ryann Brown from Princeton: two-time 2nd team All-Ivy
• Soph GK Liya Brooks from Wash St: played in only one game in two years at Was St, on the Senior Jamaican National Team that played in the 2023 FIFA World Cup (hence a redshirt), also U20 CONCACAF starter
• Soph GK Emilie Maihs from Otero College: from Germany, started as a freshman at Otero

1st year:

• MF/F Bella Devey: #138 Recruit by Prep Soccer NSCAA All-American and Utah Gatorade POY, Team USA U17 & U20
• F Eres Freifield: #23 recruit by Prep Soccer,
• MF Riley Kennedy: #35 recruit by Prep Soccer, 2025 USA U17
• D Hope Munson: #51 recruit by Prep Soccer,
• D Camie Maynor: #214 Recruit by Prep Soccer, U17 ECNL POY & All-American
• F Lauren Malsom : Prep Soccer watch list (#301-500), U15 ECNL All-American
• D Djem Koppelaar: Dutch club team player
• F Jenny Dearie

https://prepsoccer.com/national/rankings/girls/2025-rankings/

Perhaps our top commit, Ava McDonald, bailed and enrolled at TX. This is not a top ACC recruiting class: FSU, Clemson and dook all higher. I am going to assume the coaching change turmoil really damaged our recruiting season, but hopefully we rebound in 2026 after the national title under Nahas.

Bradley is a major get in the portal and our GK hole will likely be filled with a transfer (my guess is Brooks). Will probably need a newcomer to step up as the 4th midfielder now that Shores went pro. But other than that, we are really looking to our returning roster to fill the entire starting lineup.

Top Drawer soccer ranks 4 returning UNC players in their 2024 postseasonj top 100 lists:

• Faasse #1
• Dellarose #11
• Ullmark #6 freshman
• Gaetino #14 freshman

My guess at the starting 11 in decreasing certainty:

• F - Faasse, Thomas, Ullmark- 1st sub Freifield
• M: Gaetino, Bradley, Pennie, Kennedy- 1st sub Devey
• D: Dellarose, Alvarez, Mara- 1st sub Brown
• GK: Brooks - could split halves with Johann

Like last year, this team will still lack depth at many positions. (not quite as bad, but we will get there quickly with just a few injuries) Nahas showed no interest in platooning like Dorrance was famous for, but he really did not have the players to do it. That may be true again this year and we still may not know if mass substitution is his preferred approach.

The D1 roster limit is now 28. We have 22 field players and 5 GK. So we are only 1 short of a full boat. But a few of those field players are probably not ACC caliber, based on their high school credentials, and tons of freshmen in general.

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for the wonderful write up 3397char. For the 2026 class, we have the number 2, 6, 9, 11, and 13 women's soccer players in the nation to commit to UNC. Here is a link that shows the number two ranked player. You can subscribe to see the rest of the rankings, or you can find it by googling. Here is the link:
National Girls 2026 Rankings | Prep Soccer

 

[UltimateHeel]

So glad we have our forums over here!!!

Nice to see our Women’s soccer family!

 

[3397char]

Preseason #1

 

[3397char]

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National - Pre-season Poll - July 31, 2025​

Rank	School	Prev	1st Votes	Total Points	W-L-T
1	University of North Carolina	1	8	200	22-5-0
2	University of Notre Dame	6	0	190	14-4-4
3	Florida State University	13	0	177	15-2-4
4	Duke University	3	0	172	18-3-1
5	University of Southern California	5	0	158	18-1-4
6	University of Arkansas	9	0	154	16-2-3
7	Stanford University	4	0	141	16-5-2
8	UCLA	18	0	126	17-4-3
9	TCU	16	0	123	17-4-2
10	Wake Forest University	2	0	114	16-4-4
11	Penn State University	8	0	112	15-7-3
12	Michigan State University	14	0	107	14-3-5
13	University of Iowa	12	0	91	15-3-4
14	Virginia Tech	7	0	87	14-6-3
15	University of Virginia	RV	0	76	13-5-1
16	Santa Clara University	20	0	70	13-4-4
17	Vanderbilt University	15	0	67	10-4-7
18	Ohio State University	11	0	61	14-6-3
19	University of Texas	21	0	59	17-4-2
20	Mississippi State University	10	0	47	19-3-0
21	University of South Carolina	23	0	45	11-4-7
22	Oklahoma State University	NR	0	43	14-5-3
23	University of Wisconsin	19	0	37	10-6-5
24	University of Minnesota	17	0	26	14-5-3
25	Texas Tech University	24	0	24	15-5-2

Records shown are final 2024 rankings.

Also receiving votes: Saint Louis University (17), University of Georgia (16), BYU (12), Auburn University (9), University of Memphis (9), Georgetown University (9), University of California (8), Clemson University (6), Pepperdine University (5), University of Kentucky (2)

NCAA DI Womens Rankings – National | United Soccer Coaches

unitedsoccercoaches.org

That is an incredibly strong ACC. I suspect FSU may actually be the team to beat once they have everyone in Tallahassee.

And by the way, I absolutely love the cut and past capabilities on this forum!

 

[3397char]

Ring day!

 

[Jriv23]

I love it. This is a wonderful video to show recruits. This is what it is all about. Go Heels!

 

[Kleizaster]

Guess it's time i joined the on3 party!

let's kickoff the site with some good news.

Ella Martinez, a 2026 Midfielder and a Colombian youth national team mainstay has flipped her commitment from Dook to UNC. After years of losing recruits to ACC rivals, UNC is the beneficiary for the first time in a long time. A new Era indeed. Damon continues to impress with how aggressive he is in recruiting and of his pursuit of players that Anson shied away from.

Also hearing he's about to reel in a big fish (or two) in the 2027 class..

 

[Kleizaster]

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National - Pre-season Poll - July 31, 2025​

Rank	School	Prev	1st Votes	Total Points	W-L-T
1	University of North Carolina	1	8	200	22-5-0
2	University of Notre Dame	6	0	190	14-4-4
3	Florida State University	13	0	177	15-2-4
4	Duke University	3	0	172	18-3-1
5	University of Southern California	5	0	158	18-1-4
6	University of Arkansas	9	0	154	16-2-3
7	Stanford University	4	0	141	16-5-2
8	UCLA	18	0	126	17-4-3
9	TCU	16	0	123	17-4-2
10	Wake Forest University	2	0	114	16-4-4
11	Penn State University	8	0	112	15-7-3
12	Michigan State University	14	0	107	14-3-5
13	University of Iowa	12	0	91	15-3-4
14	Virginia Tech	7	0	87	14-6-3
15	University of Virginia	RV	0	76	13-5-1
16	Santa Clara University	20	0	70	13-4-4
17	Vanderbilt University	15	0	67	10-4-7
18	Ohio State University	11	0	61	14-6-3
19	University of Texas	21	0	59	17-4-2
20	Mississippi State University	10	0	47	19-3-0
21	University of South Carolina	23	0	45	11-4-7
22	Oklahoma State University	NR	0	43	14-5-3
23	University of Wisconsin	19	0	37	10-6-5
24	University of Minnesota	17	0	26	14-5-3
25	Texas Tech University	24	0	24	15-5-2

Records shown are final 2024 rankings.

Also receiving votes: Saint Louis University (17), University of Georgia (16), BYU (12), Auburn University (9), University of Memphis (9), Georgetown University (9), University of California (8), Clemson University (6), Pepperdine University (5), University of Kentucky (2)

NCAA DI Womens Rankings – National | United Soccer Coaches

unitedsoccercoaches.org

That is an incredibly strong ACC. I suspect FSU may actually be the team to beat once they have everyone in Tallahassee.

And by the way, I absolutely love the cut and past capabilities on this forum!

Might be the strongest the conference has ever been. And that's saying alot. Clemson should be ranked. Even a team like Pitt is no slouch. Will be an exciting season. UNC is now the hunted

 

[BlueHeels02]

Will definitely be battle tested by the end of the season

 

[Jriv23]

Hi Kleizaster, can you post her announcement that she is now going to UNC? Thanks.

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[UNCAlum83]

Hi Kleizaster, can you post her announcement that she is now going to UNC? Thanks.

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[UNCAlum83]

Exhibition against UNCW this Wednesday (8/6), 6pm @ Dorrance.

 

[JohnnyYen]

Still nothing from the ticket office.

 

[TommyAshley]

Been working on something that folks on this thread should like........dropping soon......

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks Tommy for all that you do. I follow you on football podcast. Thanks UNCAlum83 for the post about EGM change of plans to be a Tarheel. Go Heels!

 

[Jriv23]

For those who want to know, here is the latest update of the recruits out of the class of 2026 who have committed to UNC. Here is the link. https://prepsoccer.com/college/north-carolina/

 

[JoeyPowell]

Been working on something that folks on this thread should like........dropping soon......

Guaranteed y’all will dig.

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

Must be a Damon interview

 

[rayram]

Guess it's time i joined the on3 party!

let's kickoff the site with some good news.

Ella Martinez, a 2026 Midfielder and a Colombian youth national team mainstay has flipped her commitment from Dook to UNC. After years of losing recruits to ACC rivals, UNC is the beneficiary for the first time in a long time. A new Era indeed. Damon continues to impress with how aggressive he is in recruiting and of his pursuit of players that Anson shied away from.

Also hearing he's about to reel in a big fish (or two) in the 2027 class..

Thanks for the post. Could you explain what you mean by "players that Anson shied away from"?

 

[UltimateHeel]

Listening to the podcast today with Damon, thanks IC!!

 

[TommyAshley]

Listening to the podcast today with Damon, thanks IC!!

Article and show pinned at the top of the board.

 

[UNCAlum83]

Still nothing from the ticket office.

Just saw article for WSOC, MSOC & VB. No season ticket sales.

New for this season, Carolina will be offering only the opportunity to purchase single-game (or single-match) tickets for these sports and will no longer be offering season tickets. This change was made to be more consistent across sports, as well as to provide the operational flexibility to host these events at a high level and maximize the fan experience.

Each sport will continue to have reserved seating as well as general admission seating. All reserved seats will be $15, and all general admission seats will be $10. Pending availability, group rates will be available within these sections at a 20 percent discount (i.e. $12 for reserved seating and $8 for group seating).

Tickets On Sale Now For 2025 MSOC, WSOC & VB Seasons

 

[JOB1937]

Just saw article for WSOC, MSOC & VB. No season ticket sales.


Tickets On Sale Now For 2025 MSOC, WSOC & VB Seasons

That makes ZERO sense. You are intentionally selling fewer tickets. I would buy season tickets (as I did last year) so you would have a ticket sold for every game. Now I will only buy tickets for the games I am 100% sure I can make.

 

[JOB1937]

Surely this isn’t a scheme to raise $ on transaction fees for each purchase?

 

[UNCAlum83]

Surely this isn’t a scheme to raise $ on transaction fees for each purchase?

No transaction fee charged; just ticket cost ($15/reserved) X tickets, so it's not that. Honestly, it made it tougher to purchase tickets since you had to go game by game. For soccer, you could at least add add'l games to the cart, but volleyball didn't have that option. I called the ticket office for those instead of checking out 15-20 times.

 

[3397char]

My guess is that they want more fill in on the better seats for better gameday atmosphere. Unused season tickets sitting empty are often a sore subject for WBB, as an example.

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

I thought money was king in NIL era

 

[JohnnyYen]

Yeah, this is BS. I sent a strongly worded email to the ticket office after I had to buy 10 different sets of tickets. We can't get the same seats for every game, which is annoying. We were friends with the folks behind us last year. Who knows where they'll be. And despite tickets just going on sale, it's pretty weird how our seats from last season were already snapped up for almost every game. I think we missed one (4pm weekday) game last season. Yup, this sucks UNC.

 

[BlueHeels02]

Anyone have an update on the exhibition game?

 

[BoomerHeel]

Heels win 5-0. Goals by Faasse, Thomas, Bradley, Kennedy and Malsam.

 

[Nate1972]

We opened in a 3-5-2: Alvarez RB, Mara CB, Munson LB, Pennie at the 6 (Tessa is injured), Devey LM, Gaetino and Ullmark as 10s, Bradley as RM, Faasse and Thomas up top with Brooks in the goal. Gundry and Johann also got time in goal. I happened to sit next to Anson who said Pennie was the most improved player this year. Kennedy subbed in at the 6, and started the 2d half there. I think Alvarez and Devey were the only players who did not sub out in the 1st half. Alvarez played some on the left side when subs came in. Bradley played some in the center when subs came in. She looked very good. Munson, Devey, Freifeld and Kennedy all looked good as 1st years. We played some 4-4-2 in the 2d half with multiple subs in. Devey took all our corner kicks if she was on the field. We will have much more quality depth this year.

 

[bradarb08]

We only played one 6 in a 3-5-2? I assumed we’d see Gaetino and Tessa (Pennie today based on your note) at the 6, and then Ulmark at the 10. Then Faasse and Thomas up top at the 9s (for a 3-2-3-1 [3-5-2]).

I guess if you’re playing an inferior opponent I could see Gaetino play more attacking… but with three in the back it’s just risky to only have one 6.

Happy to hear all five goals came from different players! Were the defense and goalie tested at all tonight? I thought Mara had some great potential and great height, so I’m hoping she can handle being our starting CB this year.

 

[Nate1972]

yes, it looked like 3-1-4-2, at least with the starters. Defense and goalie not tested much. Johann made 1 nice save late. UNCW did not sub much, and clearly got tired at the end.

 

[Kleizaster]

Thanks for the post. Could you explain what you mean by "players that Anson shied away from"?

Anson did not want to recruit California. Once Stanford came to prominence he admitted that he felt like he had little chance of beating them for instate players so he didn't bother. Damon has gone hard into California and landed several high profile players out of the state.

Anson also wasn't keen on players who wanted to reclassify..Damon encourages it if he feels like it makes sense for both the player and the school.

Damon also seems to be continuously recruiting players who have given verbals to other schools. leaving that door open. I don't think Anson flipped any player the last 10-15 years.

We all love and respect Anson and don't take this post as me bashing him..But he did seem to struggle to adapt to the changing landscape and the more modern version of the sport. Similar to Roy Williams.. I think Damon understood that and made it a point to have a slightly different approach.

 

[rayram]

Thanks so much for the excellent, specific reply.

 

[TAHeel]

 

[Mtns2Sea]

Yeah, this is BS. I sent a strongly worded email to the ticket office after I had to buy 10 different sets of tickets. We can't get the same seats for every game, which is annoying. We were friends with the folks behind us last year. Who knows where they'll be. And despite tickets just going on sale, it's pretty weird how our seats from last season were already snapped up for almost every game. I think we missed one (4pm weekday) game last season. Yup, this sucks UNC.

We had the same situation, JohnnyYen! I went online within a couple of hours of the posting of the availability of tickets; our seats from last year were already gone!! I think parents must have gotten first dibs before the notice went public.... I went ahead and bought 4 - 2 for us and 2 for the out of town friends we sit with - to make sure that we could sit together. It was 11 clicks on the touchpad per seat for 4 seats x 10 games. So much more time spendt than if season ticket packages were available. And, since one of our friends couldn't make some of the 4pm weekday games, I opted out of those so actually bought fewer seats that I would have had season tickets been available. So the ticket office lost $$ on us.

 

[Jriv23]

How did the grad transfer from Princeton do? I think her name is Ryann Brown. Did she play at all or is she hurt?