GoHeels Exclusive: Redei Sparks Win Over FSU

by Pat James

CARY, N.C. — This time last year, Zoe Redei watched from the stands.

A freshman on the North Carolina women's soccer team who showed promise by scoring three goals in her first five career games, Redei missed eight matches last season because of an injury. Three of those came during the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.

But none was more anguishing than the ACC title game, when Florida State outlasted UNC, 4-3, on penalty kicks after the teams battled to a scoreless draw through regulation and two overtimes at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

"Even though I wasn't playing," Redei said, "I was heartbroken just watching (my teammates), seeing all of their faces."

That sorrow stuck with Redei entering Sunday, when the Tar Heels welcomed Florida State to WakeMed Soccer Park for the ACC Championship quarterfinals. But this time, she would ensure a different outcome.

Playing in just her 10th match since returning to the team from offseason ankle surgery, Redei scored the opening goal about 14 minutes into second-seeded UNC's 2-1 victory over the seventh-seeded Seminoles.

The goal helped snap Florida State's ACC Championship unbeaten streak at 10 matches. It also marked Redei's first goal since scoring one in a 2-0 win over Villanova on Sept. 4, 2016.

"It's been a long season, coming back from an injury and not being able to score goals," she said. "When you're a forward, it's sort of your job to either make a goal happen or assist a goal. So scoring that goal really meant a lot."

The Seminoles (11-6-1) looked like they might score first Sunday, registering four corner kicks within the first six minutes. But they never tallied a shot off those chances. And beginning with Joanna Boyles' blocked shot in the ninth minute, the Tar Heels (13-2-2) dominated possession.

Then in the 15th minute, they broke through.

Alessia Russo switched the field on her left-to-right pass to Julia Ashley, who subsequently crossed the ball to Bridgette Andrzejewski at the far post. Florida State goalkeeper Cassie Miller deflected Andrzejewski's header. But Redei swooped in and buried the ball into the back of the net, giving UNC a 1-0 lead at the 14:36 mark.

"Every time we attack, Anson (Dorrance) says to attack the ball after it's shot just because the goalkeeper might mess up and spill it," Redei said. "That's sort of what I did."

In many ways, the moment brought an end to months of frustration for Redei.

After an injury hampered her last season, Redei said she underwent ankle surgery in May. She was relegated to a walking boot and crutches. She rehabbed all summer. And it wasn't until the end of August that she started running again.

During that time, Redei said she still attended practices. But all she could do was wonder when, or even if, she'd participate this season.

Finally, toward the beginning of September, Redei said she was cleared for non-contact drills. Her involvement in practices gradually increased. And in a 1-0 win over Clemson on Sept. 21, she made her season debut. But more obstacles still stood in the way.

"It was sort of frustrating at first because coming back on the field, your touches aren't how they used to be," she said. "So you're not used to it. But then I sort of accepted it, and I was like, 'You know what? I'm going to work as hard as I can, and hopefully, eventually, it will come back.'"

Redei said she started noticing an improvement with her touches in the Tar Heels' 1-1 draw against Notre Dame on Thursday. In that game, she also played a season-high 46 minutes.

Sunday's goal then marked another step in her comeback.

"Lest we forget, she was my best striker in August and September of her freshman year; that's how good she is …" said Dorrance of Redei. "I'm very, very proud of her and her contributions. She's playing more and more minutes, so I'm very excited for Zoe but also for us now that she's back with more minutes."

UNC advanced to the ACC Championship semifinals with Sunday's win. The Tar Heels will face third-seeded N.C. State at 8 p.m. Friday at MUSC Health Stadium, the same place where Redei sat nearly a year ago cheering on her teammates.

But this time, she won't only be watching.

"Coming into the season, I wasn't even sure if I would be able to play, just with how long my recovery would take," Redei said. "Every time I step on the field, I sort of take it minute by minute and put in as much as I can and leave it on the field."

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Bridgette Andrzejewski

Julia Ashley

Joanna Boyles

Zoe Redei

Alessia Russo

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