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UNC Women’s Soccer: No. 2 in ACC Preseason Poll

Two Tar Heels are named to the Preseason All-ACC Team.

By Evan Davis
2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer team is picked to finish second in the ACC according to the league’s coaches.

In the conference poll, Florida State received 11 of the 14 first place votes, and claimed the top spot by 12 points over UNC.

Based on preseason rankings, it is shaping up to be a tough season in the ACC. Half of the teams in the national preseason poll are from the ACC, including Carolina at No. 3.

The conference choice is also the national favorite as the Seminoles are the top-ranked team in the country.

In addition to these team rankings, two Tar Heels were named to the 11-member Preseason All-ACC Team.

Senior forward/midfielder Rachel Jones was named to the Preseason All-ACC Team coming off her selection to the 2020 All-ACC First Team.

Last season, she was second on UNC with six goals, six assists, and 18 points. In addition to her conference recognition, Jones was named a Third Team All-American.

Junior Maycee Bell, a defender, also looks to return to the All-ACC First Team after earning that spot last season.

The 2019 ACC Freshman of the Year is the anchor for the Tar Heel defense, and critical to UNC’s success this season.

Below are the full preseason rankings and selections:

2021 ACC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

  1. Florida State - 167 (11 First-Place Votes)
  2. North Carolina - 155 (2)
  3. Virginia - 148 (1)
  4. Duke - 129
  5. Clemson - 124
  6. Notre Dame - 104
  7. Virginia Tech - 85
  8. Louisville - 77
  9. Wake Forest - 72
  10. NC State - 71
  11. Pitt - 57
  12. Boston College - 45
  13. Syracuse - 24
  14. Miami - 16

2021 Women’s Soccer Preseason All-ACC Team

  • Megan Bornkamp, Clemson, So., M
  • Hensley Hancuff, Clemson, Sr., GK
  • Delaney Graham, Duke, Sr., D
  • Sophie Jones, Duke, Jr., M
  • Jaelin Howell, Florida State, Sr., M
  • Yujie Zhao, Florida State, Sr., M
  • Maycee Bell, North Carolina, Jr., D
  • Rachel Jones, North Carolina, Sr., F/M
  • Amanda West, Pitt, So., F
  • Lia Godfrey, Virginia, So., M
  • Alexa Spaanstra, Virginia, Sr., F/M

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