Sophomore forward Sarah Ashley Firstenberg remembers declaring her college of choice. She told her family in Irving, Texas that she would be attending North Carolina, playing up front for the women’s soccer team and scoring goals. Firstenberg’s mind was set and she was only in sixth grade.
On Friday, Firstenberg netted UNC's second goal of the game — the first of her collegiate career — in No. 8 North Carolina's 3-2 win over No. 5 Virginia Tech at Fetzer Field, fulfilling her childhood prediction.
“Scoring my first goal for Carolina is a dream I always had as a kid,” said an excited Firstenberg. “And (Friday) it happened. It took a year but hopefully more will come.”
With two minutes to play until halftime, freshman midfielder Annie Kingman dribbled into the box and flicked a pass out to the left corner of the pitch for sophomore midfielder Danae O’Halloran. O’Halloran sent a deep cross back into the box that found a leaping Firstenberg for a perfectly timed header and the 2-0 lead.
“The quality I really liked in (Firstenberg) when we recruited her was her vertical jump, and that was an example of it,” said Coach Anson Dorrance. “(Virginia Tech's) got some very tall players, but for her to sky above everyone and not just win the header but score a wonderful goal is indicative of the sort of player she can be — an extraordinary effort from a kid that wants more playing time.”
Firstenberg’s goal was the culmination of hard work in practice and a recent sit down with Dorrance to discuss an increase in playing time. In 2013 the forward played for just 43 minutes during the entire season. She and Dorrance met on Thursday to review Firstenberg’s practice data. She asked Dorrance for 10 minutes of game time, stating that she felt like she could either score or assist on a goal if given the extended opportunity.
Ample playing time isn't a luxury that every player has on North Carolina’s deep roster, but Firstenberg knew if her minutes were increased, she could get into a rhythm and help the team. On Friday, in 22 minutes of time, she proved it, adding to her growing list of prophecies.
“Her practice data was very impressive, so I said, 'You know what, we’re going to give you more time,' and then she paid us back,” Dorrance said. “So we’re going to have her earlier in the rotation, give her more minutes, certainly if she’s going to score goals like that.”
UNC has now scored two or more goals in five straight games and is on a six-game winning streak, including four consecutive conference victories. Nine different players have contributed 13 goals during the streak, a good sign for the depleted Tar Heels who are missing numerous starters due to injury and who struggled to score goals early in the season.
