At the conclusion of the 2014 campaign, one of the most notable open spots on the UNC roster was the defensive center back position, vacated by the graduation of All-American Samantha Travers.
But during spring and summer practices, the Tar Heel coaching staff was able to select a new heir to the throne with junior back Julia Young.
Young started all 23 games for the Tar Heels last season and earned a spot on the All-South Region team. She is in the later stages of transitioning to her new position after playing attacking back in 2014.
“It’s an adjustment,” said Young after UNC’s 5-1 win against Old Dominion in Saturday’s scrimmage. “It’s hard to live up to Sam Travers because she was so great.”
While Young had a head start by playing center back this summer with the Under-21 U.S. National Team, she will be tasked with helping freshman Morgan Goetz and redshirt freshman Halle Frain transition smoothly into their positions.
Neither Frain nor Goetz have played at the collegiate level, so keeping them relaxed in tough situations is a priority for Young.
“Frain practiced with us in the spring, but Morgan is a true freshman, and she is still feeling her way,” Coach Karen Shelton said.
Goetz, a highly touted freshman, is expected to flourish this season with UNC. Young says she wants to make sure the freshmen feel comfortable on the field as they begin their careers as Tar Heels, but Shelton has no concerns about Young’s leadership style.
