University of North Carolina Athletics
Julia Dorsey, Two-Sport Athlete, Selected In NWSL Draft
January 14, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse
ANAHEIM, Calif. – On Friday night in Anaheim, California, Julia Dorsey became the first two-sport student-athlete at the University of North Carolina to be selected in the NWSL Draft. Dorsey, who will now begin her professional soccer career, played on the women's lacrosse and soccer teams during her time in Chapel Hill.
The Baltimore, Maryland native was the 40th overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft presented by Ally on Friday, Jan. 12. She was chosen by NC Courage with the 12th pick in the third round.
Dorsey is the sixth UNC student-athlete to play for the women's lacrosse and soccer teams, joining Sarah Dacey, Aubrey Falk, Elizabeth Lancaster, Katie Brooks and Maggie Bill.Â
A 1998 graduate, Dacey played professional soccer in the Women's United Soccer Association for the Carolina Courage and Boston Breakers. Dorsey is the first Tar Heel two-sport athlete drafted into the NWSL.
"Julia was one of the hidden gems in this Draft. I had spoken to several coaches and I was dying for them to pick her," said UNC women's soccer head coach Anson Dorrance. "Given her lacrosse background, she is an expert at staying between the ball and the middle of the goal, which is her best quality. She is nearly impossible to beat off the dribble. She is such a talented athlete that she was within 16 seconds against UCLA in 2022 of being a two-sport national champion."
An elite defender on the soccer pitch, Dorsey was a key part of UNC's College Cup run in 2022. She played 528 of a possible 560 minutes during the NCAA Tournament that season, including every minute of the last four games, and scored the game-winner in the national semifinals.Â
Dorsey's four-year soccer career saw 69 games, 58 starts, two goals, three assists, seven points and just over 5,200 minutes. She was forced to sit out the 2023 soccer season due to injury.
Also a skilled defender on the lacrosse field, Dorsey was an integral member of the lacrosse team that won the national championship in 2022 after an undefeated season, contributing a ground ball and caused turnover during the NCAA title game. She was also part of three Atlantic Coast Conference championships.
Her lacrosse career was highlighted by 56 games, 28 starts, three goals, six assists, nine points, 45 ground balls, 25 caused turnovers and 22 draw controls.Â
A two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, Dorsey graduated from Carolina in December 2023 with dual degrees in political science and advertising and public relations.
Dorsey was one of an NWSL-record six Tar Heel soccer players selected in this year's Draft.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Baltimore, Maryland native was the 40th overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft presented by Ally on Friday, Jan. 12. She was chosen by NC Courage with the 12th pick in the third round.
Dorsey is the sixth UNC student-athlete to play for the women's lacrosse and soccer teams, joining Sarah Dacey, Aubrey Falk, Elizabeth Lancaster, Katie Brooks and Maggie Bill.Â
A 1998 graduate, Dacey played professional soccer in the Women's United Soccer Association for the Carolina Courage and Boston Breakers. Dorsey is the first Tar Heel two-sport athlete drafted into the NWSL.
"Julia was one of the hidden gems in this Draft. I had spoken to several coaches and I was dying for them to pick her," said UNC women's soccer head coach Anson Dorrance. "Given her lacrosse background, she is an expert at staying between the ball and the middle of the goal, which is her best quality. She is nearly impossible to beat off the dribble. She is such a talented athlete that she was within 16 seconds against UCLA in 2022 of being a two-sport national champion."
An elite defender on the soccer pitch, Dorsey was a key part of UNC's College Cup run in 2022. She played 528 of a possible 560 minutes during the NCAA Tournament that season, including every minute of the last four games, and scored the game-winner in the national semifinals.Â
Dorsey's four-year soccer career saw 69 games, 58 starts, two goals, three assists, seven points and just over 5,200 minutes. She was forced to sit out the 2023 soccer season due to injury.
Also a skilled defender on the lacrosse field, Dorsey was an integral member of the lacrosse team that won the national championship in 2022 after an undefeated season, contributing a ground ball and caused turnover during the NCAA title game. She was also part of three Atlantic Coast Conference championships.
Her lacrosse career was highlighted by 56 games, 28 starts, three goals, six assists, nine points, 45 ground balls, 25 caused turnovers and 22 draw controls.Â
A two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, Dorsey graduated from Carolina in December 2023 with dual degrees in political science and advertising and public relations.
Dorsey was one of an NWSL-record six Tar Heel soccer players selected in this year's Draft.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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