University of North Carolina Athletics
Alessia Russo registered a goal and an assist in weekend wins over Auburn and UNCW.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: UNC women's soccer receives boost from Russo, other Olympic sports notes
September 4, 2017 | Women's Soccer, Featured Writers
Freshman forward Alessia Russo joined the North Carolina women's soccer team just two weeks ago from England. But in little time, she's made a significant impact.
After scoring the game-winner in UNC's 4-2 win over South Florida on Aug. 27, Russo registered another in Friday's 5-0 victory over Auburn in the Duke Nike Classic, finding the back of the net at the 28:49 mark of the match. Later, she was taken down in the penalty area, setting up Dorian Bailey's penalty kick.
Russo's hot start then continued Sunday. In a 2-0 win over UNCW at Duke's Koskinen Stadium, she recorded the primary assist on Bridgette Andrzejewski's insurance goal – her first of the season – in the fourth minute of the second half.
Now comes the stiffest test of Russo's young college career. The ninth-ranked Tar Heels visit fourth-ranked Penn State on Thursday, when she'll look to sustain her early success.
Young runners lead cross country
The women's cross country team entered Saturday's Elon Opener without top runners Caroline Alcorta and Morgan Ilse. But the emergence of a few young members helped steer UNC to a second-place finish in its first 2017 event.
Sophomores Mady Clahane, Erin Edmundson and Blair Ramsey finished fifth, 10th and 13th, respectively. And freshman Lindsey Lanier, the Tar Heels' last scorer, took 23rd in the 4k race.
UNC's men also received some substantial contributions from young runners en route to second place. In the 6k race, sophomores Mitch Resor, Brandon Tubby, Alex Milligan and Matt Thornton took fifth, eighth, ninth and 12th, respectively.
Sholder efficient in field hockey wins
Freshman Meredith Sholder has attempted just two shots through her first four games with the field hockey team. But both have found the back of the net.
Making her first career start, Sholder scored her first goal in the fourth minute of the top-ranked Tar Heels' 2-0 win at eighth-ranked Princeton on Friday. She also added an assist, finding senior Gab Major for a goal in the 62nd minute.
Sholder once again sparked UNC's offense on Sunday, when she tipped in a pass from Marissa Creatore for the first goal in a 3-1 victory at Penn.
Men's soccer suffers first loss
Through its first two matches of the season, the third-ranked men's soccer team looked like the offensive juggernaut it was expected to be, scoring 10 goals on 33 shots. But UNCW's defense found a way to stifle the Tar Heels on Friday in Wilmington, North Carolina.
UNC outshot the Seahawks by a 12-6 margin. However, a pair of second-half saves by goalkeeper Ryan Cretens highlighted UNCW's strong defensive effort in a 1-0 shutout win.
The loss snapped the Tar Heels' six-match unbeaten streak, which began with a victory over Florida Gulf Coast in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
Volleyball seeks improvements
Entering this season, the volleyball team's first four matches looked like they might form one of the most daunting opening slates in program history. And they've proven to be every bit as challenging.
After going 0-2 against No. 4 Minnesota and No. 7 Wisconsin on opening weekend, No. 16 UNC fell to Auburn 3-1 on Friday before losing 3-0 against No. 3 Florida on Sunday to conclude the ACC/SEC Puerto Rico Clasico. The Tar Heels' four losses match their total from last season.
UNC has managed to post just a .106 hitting percentage on the season. However, after struggling to block through its first three matches, the team registered its first double-digit blocking performance of the year (10.5) in the loss against Florida – an encouraging sign entering Friday's home opener against LIU-Brooklyn.
After scoring the game-winner in UNC's 4-2 win over South Florida on Aug. 27, Russo registered another in Friday's 5-0 victory over Auburn in the Duke Nike Classic, finding the back of the net at the 28:49 mark of the match. Later, she was taken down in the penalty area, setting up Dorian Bailey's penalty kick.
Russo's hot start then continued Sunday. In a 2-0 win over UNCW at Duke's Koskinen Stadium, she recorded the primary assist on Bridgette Andrzejewski's insurance goal – her first of the season – in the fourth minute of the second half.
Now comes the stiffest test of Russo's young college career. The ninth-ranked Tar Heels visit fourth-ranked Penn State on Thursday, when she'll look to sustain her early success.
Young runners lead cross country
The women's cross country team entered Saturday's Elon Opener without top runners Caroline Alcorta and Morgan Ilse. But the emergence of a few young members helped steer UNC to a second-place finish in its first 2017 event.
Sophomores Mady Clahane, Erin Edmundson and Blair Ramsey finished fifth, 10th and 13th, respectively. And freshman Lindsey Lanier, the Tar Heels' last scorer, took 23rd in the 4k race.
UNC's men also received some substantial contributions from young runners en route to second place. In the 6k race, sophomores Mitch Resor, Brandon Tubby, Alex Milligan and Matt Thornton took fifth, eighth, ninth and 12th, respectively.
Sholder efficient in field hockey wins
Freshman Meredith Sholder has attempted just two shots through her first four games with the field hockey team. But both have found the back of the net.
Making her first career start, Sholder scored her first goal in the fourth minute of the top-ranked Tar Heels' 2-0 win at eighth-ranked Princeton on Friday. She also added an assist, finding senior Gab Major for a goal in the 62nd minute.
Sholder once again sparked UNC's offense on Sunday, when she tipped in a pass from Marissa Creatore for the first goal in a 3-1 victory at Penn.
Men's soccer suffers first loss
Through its first two matches of the season, the third-ranked men's soccer team looked like the offensive juggernaut it was expected to be, scoring 10 goals on 33 shots. But UNCW's defense found a way to stifle the Tar Heels on Friday in Wilmington, North Carolina.
UNC outshot the Seahawks by a 12-6 margin. However, a pair of second-half saves by goalkeeper Ryan Cretens highlighted UNCW's strong defensive effort in a 1-0 shutout win.
The loss snapped the Tar Heels' six-match unbeaten streak, which began with a victory over Florida Gulf Coast in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
Volleyball seeks improvements
Entering this season, the volleyball team's first four matches looked like they might form one of the most daunting opening slates in program history. And they've proven to be every bit as challenging.
After going 0-2 against No. 4 Minnesota and No. 7 Wisconsin on opening weekend, No. 16 UNC fell to Auburn 3-1 on Friday before losing 3-0 against No. 3 Florida on Sunday to conclude the ACC/SEC Puerto Rico Clasico. The Tar Heels' four losses match their total from last season.
UNC has managed to post just a .106 hitting percentage on the season. However, after struggling to block through its first three matches, the team registered its first double-digit blocking performance of the year (10.5) in the loss against Florida – an encouraging sign entering Friday's home opener against LIU-Brooklyn.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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