University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Houston Dash
Pro Heels: NWSL Week One Roundup
March 18, 2024 | Women's Soccer
The 2024 National Women's Soccer League season officially kicked off this past weekend. Nine Tar Heels played with six earning a starting role. Four rookies saw action with three joining the starting lineups.
Angel City FC
» Paige Nielsen (2012-15)
Angel City fell to Bay FC, 1-0, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Nielsen, a defender, earned a starting role in the season opener.
Bay FC
» Emmie Allen (2021-23)
» Dorian Bailey (2015-18)
» Savy King (2023)
The newest NWSL expansion team competing in its inaugural season, Bay FC posted a 1-0 win over Angel City FC in its first-ever match. King joined the starting lineup at defense and Bailey, a midfielder, subbed in at the 67' mark.
King, the No. 2 overall selection in the NWSL Draft, became the third youngest draftee in league history. She was one of five teenagers to start on opening weekend across the NWSL.
Allen recently inked a contract with the club after joining the team during preseason training camp as a trialist.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
» Maycee Bell (2019-23)
» Crystal Dunn (2010-13)
Gotham FC fell to San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Bell and Dunn, both defenders, made the Gotham debuts and subbed in at the 85' and 66', respectively.
Houston Dash
» Avery Patterson (2020-23)
Houston Dash suffered a 5-1 loss to North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Starting at forward, Patterson joined the Starting XI and logged a full 90 minutes.
North Carolina Courage
» Julia Dorsey (2019-23)
» Brianna Pinto (2018-20)
The North Carolina Courage sit atop the NWSL standings heading into week two after a dominant 5-1 win over Houston Dash at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Pinto received the start at forward.
Portland Thorns
» Meghan Klingenberg (2007-10)
The Portland Thorns dropped a 5-4 thriller to Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium. Klingenberg was available as a sub but was not used.
Seattle Reign FC
» Claudia Dickey (2018-21)
» Sam Meza (2020-23)
Seattle Reign began the season with a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Starting goalkeeper Dickey earned the clean sheet and now has four in seven regular season games played all-time, tied for the most in the NWSL since she made her start on Aug. 27, 2023.
Meza was available as a sub but was not used.
Utah Royals
» Ally Sentnor (2021-23)
Making its debut in the club's second era, Utah Royals dropped a 2-0 decision to the Chicago Red Stars at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Sentnor, a forward, received a start in her rookie debut.
Sentnor was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Angel City FC
» Paige Nielsen (2012-15)
Angel City fell to Bay FC, 1-0, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Nielsen, a defender, earned a starting role in the season opener.
Bay FC
» Emmie Allen (2021-23)
» Dorian Bailey (2015-18)
» Savy King (2023)
The newest NWSL expansion team competing in its inaugural season, Bay FC posted a 1-0 win over Angel City FC in its first-ever match. King joined the starting lineup at defense and Bailey, a midfielder, subbed in at the 67' mark.
King, the No. 2 overall selection in the NWSL Draft, became the third youngest draftee in league history. She was one of five teenagers to start on opening weekend across the NWSL.
Allen recently inked a contract with the club after joining the team during preseason training camp as a trialist.
NJ/NY Gotham FC
» Maycee Bell (2019-23)
» Crystal Dunn (2010-13)
Gotham FC fell to San Diego Wave in the NWSL Challenge Cup at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Bell and Dunn, both defenders, made the Gotham debuts and subbed in at the 85' and 66', respectively.
Houston Dash
» Avery Patterson (2020-23)
Houston Dash suffered a 5-1 loss to North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Starting at forward, Patterson joined the Starting XI and logged a full 90 minutes.
North Carolina Courage
» Julia Dorsey (2019-23)
» Brianna Pinto (2018-20)
The North Carolina Courage sit atop the NWSL standings heading into week two after a dominant 5-1 win over Houston Dash at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Pinto received the start at forward.
Portland Thorns
» Meghan Klingenberg (2007-10)
The Portland Thorns dropped a 5-4 thriller to Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium. Klingenberg was available as a sub but was not used.
Seattle Reign FC
» Claudia Dickey (2018-21)
» Sam Meza (2020-23)
Seattle Reign began the season with a 1-0 win over Washington Spirit at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Starting goalkeeper Dickey earned the clean sheet and now has four in seven regular season games played all-time, tied for the most in the NWSL since she made her start on Aug. 27, 2023.
Meza was available as a sub but was not used.
Utah Royals
» Ally Sentnor (2021-23)
Making its debut in the club's second era, Utah Royals dropped a 2-0 decision to the Chicago Red Stars at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Sentnor, a forward, received a start in her rookie debut.
Sentnor was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
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