Maya Worth

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Position:
Defender
Height:
5-4
Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Cary, N.C.
High School:
Green Hope

MAYA WORTH
Dorrance on Maya: Maya Worth has improved every single year she has been in the program. Not only do I love where her game is going, I also love where her character is going. She has become a rock for us in the back. Not only is she difficult to beat off the dribble because of her strength, aggression and speed, she also gains more composure the more I see her mature. She has one more season for us and I am convinced that after she plays out her eligibility for us she will sign a pro contract. She was one of the stars of our spring game against the pro team in 2016. In fact, right afterwards the Sky Blue coach walked up to me asked me who’s the left back and I said Maya Worth. And the next question was when does she graduate. There are a thousand different reasons we play the pro teams for the experience our players get to be under the gun against superior players and players with more experience but the other reason is we’re advertising our kids so that was an advertisement for Maya Worth. Even the quality players in the NWSL struggled to beat her.
Redshirt Junior Year (2016): Started season at the left back position for the Tar Heels but she moved into starting lineup at start of ACC season at striker and made Carolina a much better team in the process • 2016 All-ACC Tournament selection • moved into the starting lineup at forward late in regular-season • overall started 17 games last season, primarily at forward • played in 22 matches altogether, playing 1,083 minutes • UNC’s sixth leading scorer with eight points • tied for third on team with four assists • started five straight matches at forward for the Tar Heels during the middle of the ACC season (UNC went 3-0-2 in that crucial stretch) • moved back into starting lineup on Carolina’s trip to Syracuse and performed magnificently • had two assists in the game against the Orange on tallies by Megan Buckingham and Bridgette Andrzejewski • scored first goal of season in first half of UNC’s win over Notre Dame in ACC Tournament semifinals • tallied insurance goal in NCAA second round victory over Kansas • assisted on Sarah Ashley Firstenberg’s game-winning goal in season-opening 2-0 victory over UCF • named to 2016-17 ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Redshirt Sophomore Year (2015): Named to 2015-16 ACC Academic Honor Roll • earned a spot on the fall semester 2015 Dean’s List at UNC • moved into starting left back role in Carolina’s 3-4-3 formation in 2015 season • played in 20 games for UNC and started 17 games for the Tar Heels • her 1,294 minutes played ranked fifth on the team behind Paige Nielsen, Julia Ashley, Katie Bowen and Jessie Scarpa • sat out Liberty game with an injury • that was the first game she had missed all season • played all but 16 minutes on trip to Texas as Tar Heels posted two shutouts against Texas and UTSA.
Redshirt Freshman Year (2014): Saw increased playing time in the stretch run of the season • played in 11 matches and totaled 169 minutes played • earned first career point with an assist on Paige Nielsen’s goal versus South Dakota State in the NCAA Tournament first round game • in the NCAA Tournament second round contest versus Colorado she scored off a rebound of her own saved shot to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 victory over the Buffaloes in the 94th minute of the game.
Freshman Year (2013): Did not play • played a key role in practice and as a member of the scout team • retained four years of eligibility.
High School: Graduated in 2013 from Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C. • had 12 goals and 12 assists on soccer team as a senior • 2010 National Young Leaders State Conference Participant • Green Hope High School honor roll three years • a tremendous high school track athlete • in 2013, she set school records in 200-meter run indoors and as member of sprint medley relay at New Balance Nationals • in 2012, she was a member of school record outdoor 4x400 meter relay team • in 2011, led team to second place in state track meet in 4x400 meters and was individually fourth in state meet in triple jump • as a freshman she won school’s most outstanding athlete award in the field events while setting school outdoor records in 200 meters and triple jump.
Club: Played club soccer for ’94 CASL Chelsea Ladies • named to 2013 Top Drawer Soccer Players To Watch in South Atlantic Region • All-Event Team at 2012 ECNL tournament in Phoenix • played on squads which won 2012 ECNL U17 national title and 2011 ECNL U16 national crown • Top 10 scorer in 2011 Region III Premier League • played on club teams which won seven significant tourney titles between 2008 and 2011 and finished as a finalist in two other events • club team was ECNL U15 national finalists in 2010 • had four goals and four assists playing for Chelsea U18 Team in 2012-13 season
Personal: Full name is Maya Nicole Worth • daughter of Karen and Leroy Worth • was born January 24, 1995 in Durham, N.C. • has one sister • stands 5-4 tall • sport administration major in exercise and sport science department.