No. 1 UNC Women’s Soccer Opens Title Defense at Tennessee

No. 1 UNC Women’s Soccer Opens Title Defense at Tennessee originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Eight months after defeating Wake Forest 1-0 to capture the NCAA Championship, the North Carolina women’s soccer team is ready to begin its 2025 campaign. Olivia Thomas’ 62nd-minute goal sealed the title for the Tar Heels, who now enter the new season with the No. 1 ranking in both the United Soccer Coaches and ACC Preseason Polls for the first time in five years.

UNC’s roster remains stacked with talent. Thomas returns alongside senior midfielder Kate Faasse, last season’s Mac Hermann Trophy winner as the nation’s best women’s soccer player. Preseason All-ACC selections Tessa Dellarose and Linda Ullmark are also expected to be key contributors.

This season marks Damon Nahas’ first full year as head coach. Nahas, officially appointed in December 2024, succeeded legendary coach Anson Dorrance after leading UNC to its 23rd national title as interim coach. This was the school’s first championship since 2012.

The Tar Heels will open the season tonight on the road against Tennessee at Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville. It will be the 14th all-time meeting between the programs, with UNC having a dominant 12-0-1 record. The Tar Heels have outscored the Volunteers 62-9 overall, including 17-2 since 2010.

Tennessee enters the match with five players named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist: Ally Brown, Reese Mattern, Mac Midgley, Shae O’Rourke, and Anaiyah Robinson.

UNC has a 38-5-3 all-time record in season openers and hasn’t lost one since 2014. With a deep roster and championship pedigree, the Tar Heels will look to extend that streak and make an early statement in their title defense.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and will air on the SEC Network.

Related: Soccer Sensation Alisha Lehmann Opens Up on ‘New Beginnings’ After Surprise Signing

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.