Gone are leaders such as Andy Craven, Tyler Engel, Rob Lovejoy and Verneri Valimaa, who scored 33 of UNC’s 52 goals in 2014.
But even with a lot of star power gone, the young Tar Heels plan on using experience to create their own identity and leave their own legacy.
“Last year we had so many different faces. I mean we graduated 11 players, so we can’t think too much about last year,” said Coach Carlos Somoano following a 4-1 exhibition win against Winthrop on Friday.
“We have to redefine ourselves for this season as quick as we can because there are so many new players playing. The great part is that a lot of these guys have already played for us; they just may have not been starting.”
Somoano can’t pinpoint a single player he thinks will take the forefront for the Tar Heels but rather sees his formation options as the definition of his team.
“We just have so many good players,” Somoano said. “It depends a lot on fitness, health and the combination. We always try to define it more on what combination of players fit and make it work. ... We just try and put in the combinations that are really going to click.”
While UNC’s starting lineup at the beginning of the season will include familiar faces, like junior midfielder Omar Holness and senior midfielder Raby George, the squad could look different as the season goes on.
