Top-Ranked UNC Women’s Soccer Prepares for Match Against No. 16 Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 1 ranked University of North Carolina women's soccer team is set to face No. 16 Virginia on Friday night in Charlottesville, marking their third top-20 matchup this season and the second within a week. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on ACCNX.

With 52 meetings between the two programs, Carolina leads the series with a record of 41 wins, 5 losses, and 5 draws. The Tar Heels head into this match with a six-game winning streak, including two victories in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. This will be UNC's first road conference game of the season, and they remain unbeaten away from home, having outscored opponents 5-1.

In this competitive matchup, Carolina looks to leverage the skills of Bella Devey and Lilliah Blum to sustain their offensive performance. Devey scored her second brace of the season in the previous match and currently leads the team with 10 goals. Blum has also made an impact, recently scoring her first career brace during the victory against No. 2 Duke.

Additional stats highlight Carolina's strength, including a ranking of No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, marking the 38th season they have achieved a No. 1 rank. They have outscored opponents 36-6 this season and have a 6-1 record at home, with five wins achieved via shutout, totaling 31 goals for and only 5 against on Dorrance Field.

Lilliah Blum has four goals this season and was recognized as the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 22. Meanwhile, Bella Devey’s performance included leading the nation in scoring during the first week of the season, resulting in her selection as the ACC Player of the Week and a place on the Preseason All-ACC Team.

Hope Munson and Summer Denigan have also contributed significantly, each scoring two goals this season, with Denigan leading the squad with four assists. In goal, Peyton Trayer boasts nine wins and 13 saves, including seven shutouts.

Several Tar Heels have been recognized for their talent, including five players appearing in the Preseason TopDrawerSoccer Top 100 Rankings. Summer Denigan was named to the Preseason TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Teams, alongside Izzi Stratton and Cali O'Neill. Both Denigan and Stratton are on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.

The Tar Heels were picked to finish fifth in the ACC Preseason Poll. Additionally, Aven Alvarez, Hope Munson, and Sealey Strawn have been included in the U-20 U.S. Women's National Team roster for the 2026 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while Amari Manning and Deus Stanislaus were named to the U-17 roster for the same year's tournament in Morocco.

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