UNC women's soccer team focuses on the season ahead

Revenge might be sweet, but it’s no substitute for a national title.

So while the North Carolina women’s soccer team would certainly like to avenge last season’s third-round NCAA Tournament loss when it plays Notre Dame this Friday, the team’s main focus is on the season at hand — and, just as importantly, on what could be waiting at the end of it.

“Just like every year, our goal is always the same — we always want to win a national championship,” junior midfielder Amber Brooks said. “Most of us were here last year, and we’re still feeling the sting of that 4-1 defeat. But it’s a new year. We’re a new team.”

Entering the season ranked third in the nation, the Tar Heels seem well equipped to make another championship run. But that doesn’t mean they are without obstacles.

In addition to the graduation of defensive leader Rachel Givan, injuries to Rachel Wood and Meg Morris have forced head coach Anson Dorrance to reconfigure the backfield. Fortunately for the Tar Heels, freshmen defenders Taylor Ramirez and Satara Murray have turned heads this spring.

“Satara Murray won her starting position on the first day of practice,” Dorrance said. “She’s the kind of player that if she decided to really work on the technical side of her game, she could play at any level.”

Murray will look to follow in the footsteps of Kealia Ohai and Crystal Dunn, who as freshmen both played pivotal roles last season. Ohai, a forward, led the team with 14 goals while Dunn took home national rookie of the year honors for her versatility.

Although currently listed as a forward, Dunn will likely start in the midfield spot vacated by the graduated Megan Klingenberg.

“Crystal is an extraordinary player, and that’ll help us mitigate the loss of Megan in that position,” Dorrance said. “We think our midfield right now has tremendous promise.”

Of last year’s end-of-the-year starters, 10 will be returning, giving the Tar Heels an experienced core to build around. And because of the limited turnover, the team has had more time to bond as a unit

“That chemistry, especially for girls, bonding, hanging out with each other off the field — that really, really means a lot and affects your game,” senior forward Courtney Jones said. “And the fact that we’ve been able to do that for a much longer period of time than other teams is going to make a huge difference.”

With 11 goals last season, Jones is arguably the team’s most potent threat on offense, and Dorrance said he believes that with a little work, she could be one of the best strikers in the country.

A team trip to Germany during the summer, which included two exhibition games against professional German teams, confirmed the coach’s confidence in his forward.

“The coaches right after the game asked me about Courtney and wanted to buy her,” Dorrance said. “I don’t think they understood that we’re a college team.”

Along with Brooks, Jones was elected co-captain by the team, and the senior has taken pride in her leadership role.

“There was this certain point during the spring where I almost felt like a mother,” Jones said. “It was almost like I wouldn’t even care if I messed up during practice. If I saw someone else make a great pass, I was totally smiling … just because I knew that they were improving.”

Read a recap of the team’s 2-1 victory over Nebraska on Friday.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.