Just nine months removed from a heartbreaking loss to South Carolina in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, the North Carolina women’s soccer team has just one goal in mind — to win another national title.
And in order to achieve this lofty goal, the Tar Heels have made several changes to their starting lineup.
In 2014, UNC produced just 31 goals in 20 games, the lowest mark in program history. To combat this, head coach Anson Dorrance has moved some of the team’s most talented players to attacking positions.
A season ago, sophomore Jessie Scarpa and senior Katie Bowen were consistent contributors in a North Carolina defense that gave up just 15 goals. But when UNC opens its 2015 campaign against Weber State Friday night, both players will take on a new role.
“We’re taking a bit of a risk to throw these talented kids forward,” Dorrance said. “But hopefully what we’ll gain is the capacity to score some goals.”
Scarpa will make the transition to center-forward, where Dorrance hopes the sophomore will give the Tar Heels a sure-fire scoring threat. While never having occupied the forward position, the Lakeland, Fla., native did play in an attacking-midfield role in high school. And she has impressed several of her teammates with the scorer’s mentality that she has displayed in practice.
“Getting her up top will be a nice striking threat,” said junior midfielder Joanna Boyles. “She has a rocket of a foot, so that will be exciting.”
For Bowen, the move from the back line should be smoother, as she has experience in the position at both the national and the collegiate level.
