University of North Carolina Athletics
Thursday, August 13
Chapel Hill, N.C.
7 p.m.
North Carolina
vs
Fairfield
Photo by: DALTON T. WAINSCOTT
Women’s Soccer Welcomes Fairfield Thursday For Home Opener
August 12, 2026 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 8 Carolina women's soccer will welcome Fairfield to Chapel Hill Thursday evening for the team's season opener. The Tar Heels are set for a 7 p.m. kickoff from Dorrance Field with live streaming available on ACCNX. The midweek matchup will mark the first ever meeting between the Tar Heels and Stags.
Carolina has continually been dominant on its home field winning 11 straight home openers. Last season, UNC went 9-1 at Dorrance Field while outscoring opponents 32-6.
Fairfield heads into the new season after putting together one of the nation's top offenses last year. The Stags ranked seventh in scoring after tallying 49 goals.
Both teams have several new additions to their roster this year. Carolina welcomed 15 newcomers this fall while Fairfield added eight. The Tar Heel newcomers head into the season with high expectations as the freshmen are the No. 1-ranked recruiting class while the trio of transfers rank No. 4 in the nation.
Tar Heel Tidbits
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Carolina has continually been dominant on its home field winning 11 straight home openers. Last season, UNC went 9-1 at Dorrance Field while outscoring opponents 32-6.
Fairfield heads into the new season after putting together one of the nation's top offenses last year. The Stags ranked seventh in scoring after tallying 49 goals.
Both teams have several new additions to their roster this year. Carolina welcomed 15 newcomers this fall while Fairfield added eight. The Tar Heel newcomers head into the season with high expectations as the freshmen are the No. 1-ranked recruiting class while the trio of transfers rank No. 4 in the nation.
Tar Heel Tidbits
- Bella Devey was tabbed Preseason All-ACC for the 2026 season.
- Carolina came in at No. 8 on the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.
- UNC was selected fifth on the ACC Preseason Poll.
- Summer Denigan was named to the Midfielders MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by United Soccer Coaches.
- Izzi Stratton was named to the Defenders MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by United Soccer Coaches.
- The 2026 roster features 15 newcomers (12 freshmen and three transfers).
- Carolina finished last season with a 13-6-2 record after reaching the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
- The Tar Heels return All-ACC Freshman Team member Hope Munson.
- Amari Manning and Deus Stanislaus were called up for a U-17 WNT training camp and matches. The pair will miss the first two matches of the season due to the camp.
- Carolina welcomes the No. 1 recruiting class this season. This marks the first time since 2022 that the Tar Heels are bringing in the top-rated recruiting class.
- The recruiting class features five of the top-25 ranked players (Scottie Antonucci - No. 7, Sealey Strawn - No. 8, Cali O'Neill - No. 11 and Deus Stanislaus - No. 14, Amari Manning - No. 21)
- UNC also brings in the No. 4 ranked transfer class in the nation. The class includes a trio of new Tar Heels (Lilliah Blum, Summer Denigan and Izzi Stratton).
Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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