For the first time, the outcome of the women's soccer ACC Tournament is not quite predictable. There were so many surprise last-minute wins and losses over the course of the regular season, and the teams are so evenly matched that four tied for second place in the conference. Just about any of the eight talented ACC teams could take home the first place trophy.
Tournament play kicks off today at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, N.C. and continues through Sunday. Fourth-seeded Virginia (10-7, 4-3 ACC) competes in the first round tonight at 6 p.m. against fifth-seeded Duke (12-6, 4-3), the host team.
The legendary North Carolina Tar Heels (13-3, 4-3) are seeking their 12th straight title, but they are seeded third in the tournament, their lowest ranking in the 13-year history of ACC women's soccer competition. The Tar Heels were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the start of the season, but uncharacteristically dropped three games (Clemson, Florida State and Wake Forest) during the regular season. Carolina finished in a four-way tie for second in the final standings with Wake Forest, Virginia and Duke.
"We're looking to rectify," Tar Heel coach Anson Dorrance said. "We want to correct some errors that we made in regular season games."
North Carolina, which faces sixth-seeded N.C. State (10-6-3, 2-3-2) in the opening match of the tournament, is looking to uphold its winning reputation.
"I'm sure they're licking their chops," Florida State coach Patrick Baker said. "They've got the revenge card to play."
Baker's Seminoles (12-6-1, 2-4-1) have a different outlook on the tournament. This year Florida State, usually eighth in the conference, will be a challenge for even the top teams. Seeded seventh, the 'Noles will go up against second-ranked Wake Forest in the first round, a team they beat 2-0 in the regular season.
"Our focus is on the first game," Baker said. "For the first time we're playing someone we've beaten. We always play Carolina and have to go home after that game. But this year we feel like we're very competitive."
The young Seminoles posted the best season ever in Florida State soccer history and should feel competitive. They tied the school record for most wins in a season, defeated four teams ranked in the national top 20 and gave other teams a tough fight along the way. The Seminoles, always the underdog, not only beat Wake, but also defeated Carolina, tied N.C. State, and lost in the last minutes to Virginia, Duke and Clemson.
Clemson (16-1-1, 5-1-1), the tournament's top seed and the nation's No. 5 team, has the best chance at taking the tournament championship, thanks to the help of standout freshman forward Lindsay Browne, the ACC's second leading scorer. The Tigers won all but two games in the regular season. However, their loss and tie came to Duke and N.C. State, respectively, teams that Clemson should have had an easy time with. Also, the Tigers narrowly slipped past eighth-seeded Maryland (8-10, 1-6) 1-0 Oct. 13, a game that undermines their decisive tournament advantage.
Second-ranked Wake Forest (10-7-1, 4-3) could give Clemson its greatest challenge. The Deacons toppled Maryland, N.C. State and Virginia and handed the Tar Heels their first-ever in-conference shutout Oct. 27. That landmark victory came with the help of Deacon goalkeeper Tracy Chao, who has allowed only one goal in her last three games and was named ACC Player of the Week for the last week of the season.
Virginia cannot be discounted as a championship contender either, especially with ACC Player of the Year Lori Lindsey, a junior midfielder, leading the way. The Cavs won their last two regular season games against Duke and Florida State and are looking to hang onto their winning streak. They particularly are focused on getting past the first game of the tournament after Clemson handed them a heartbreaking 3-1 loss in last year's opening round. This year the Cavs want to start out with a win against Duke and are looking for even better results.
Virginia coach "Steve [Swanson's] team is looking good this time of year and our team's just the opposite," Duke coach Bill Hempen said. "Outside of our end-to-end shootout with Virginia [that resulted in a 4-3 Cav win Oct. 21], we haven't been able to score a whole lot of goals and we've been giving up goals at the wrong times."
Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz agreed with Hempen's assessment of Virginia's hopes.
"I thought [the Cavaliers] were one of the better teams we played in the conference soccer-wise," da Luz said. "Maybe the best team we played. I think they have a good chance in this tournament."
But doesn't everybody? With eight strong teams, this ACC Tournament should be the most competitive in its history. Competitive, at least, for the teams that aren't used to winning it.
"For the first time the ACC Tournament field is wide open," Seminole coach Baker said. It's anybody's game. I don't think it can be called the Tar Heel Invitational this year"
Read More
Mel Josephson and women’s lacrosse prepare to take center stage
By Xander Tilock | 9 hours agoJosephson's ability to perform throughout a game's biggest moments is crucial for the Cavaliers.
Virginia schools can pay players through NIL, but the University should proceed with caution
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayGiven the unique academic and athletic opportunities Virginia is able to offer its athletes, it is not shocking that Virginia has been resistant to extravagant, NIL-induced changes.
Record-setting weekend for Virginia track and field at Penn Relays and Virginia High Performance
By Tanmayi Patil | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers took down records across two events over the weekend.
