University of North Carolina Athletics
Foursome Leads USA To U20 Concacaf Runner-Up Finish
June 9, 2023 | Women's Soccer
SANTO DOMINGO, D.R. – A foursome of Tar Heels helped the United States U-20 Women's Youth National Team secure a berth in the 2024 U-20 FIFA Women's World Cup with a runner-up finish at the 2023 Concacaf U-20 Women's Championship.
The U.S. defeated Costa Rica in the semifinals before falling to Mexico 2-1 in the championship match.
The USA has advanced to the final at every Concacaf U-20 tournament held and has qualified for all 12 Women's World Cups that have been contested for this age group. UNC rising senior Talia Dellaperuta scored a goal in the 2022 championship final, which saw the Americans defeat Mexico.
UNC rising sophomore forwards Maddie Dahlien and Ally Sentnor finished the tournament as the USA's leading scorers with four goals each, while classmate Tessa Dellarose scored once. Incoming freshman Savannah King started all five matches.
"All the Heels played amazing," Sentnor said. "I was proud of how we represented our school and our country. We got so much closer on and off the field. It's going to help us in the fall. I was happy and proud to be able to play with those girls."
Sentnor was selected as co-captain by coach Tracey Kevins.
"It was such an honor [to be named captain]," Sentnor said. "It's something I've been working for, and I liked being a leader and being in that position on the team.
"It was nice to bring my experience into this tournament and how I lead my teammates, but I also learned from them. I learned different styles and different ways to communicate. They were all incredible people, incredible players."
A brace from Sentnor and a goal from Dahlien secured the USA's top spot in Group A with a 5-2 win over Canada.
Dahlien scored two goals against the Canadians, but the second was waved away due to offside by a VAR review.
Dahlien and Dellarose accounted for all four goals in the USA's 4-0 win against Jamaica in its second match of the group stage.
Dahlien recorded a hat trick, with an assist from Sentnor on her third goal in her first U-20 WYNT cap. Dellarose fired a powerful, left-footed strike across the face of the goal to finish inside the far post from 26 yards out.
Sentnor converted two of three penalty kicks in the opener against Panama.
The U.S. defeated Costa Rica in the semifinals before falling to Mexico 2-1 in the championship match.
The USA has advanced to the final at every Concacaf U-20 tournament held and has qualified for all 12 Women's World Cups that have been contested for this age group. UNC rising senior Talia Dellaperuta scored a goal in the 2022 championship final, which saw the Americans defeat Mexico.
UNC rising sophomore forwards Maddie Dahlien and Ally Sentnor finished the tournament as the USA's leading scorers with four goals each, while classmate Tessa Dellarose scored once. Incoming freshman Savannah King started all five matches.
"All the Heels played amazing," Sentnor said. "I was proud of how we represented our school and our country. We got so much closer on and off the field. It's going to help us in the fall. I was happy and proud to be able to play with those girls."
Sentnor was selected as co-captain by coach Tracey Kevins.
"It was such an honor [to be named captain]," Sentnor said. "It's something I've been working for, and I liked being a leader and being in that position on the team.
"It was nice to bring my experience into this tournament and how I lead my teammates, but I also learned from them. I learned different styles and different ways to communicate. They were all incredible people, incredible players."
A brace from Sentnor and a goal from Dahlien secured the USA's top spot in Group A with a 5-2 win over Canada.
Dahlien scored two goals against the Canadians, but the second was waved away due to offside by a VAR review.
Dahlien and Dellarose accounted for all four goals in the USA's 4-0 win against Jamaica in its second match of the group stage.
Dahlien recorded a hat trick, with an assist from Sentnor on her third goal in her first U-20 WYNT cap. Dellarose fired a powerful, left-footed strike across the face of the goal to finish inside the far post from 26 yards out.
Sentnor converted two of three penalty kicks in the opener against Panama.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender/Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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