North Carolina heads to Memphis on Monday night with its season-opening road trip nearly in the books, and the Tar Heels arrive after already showing some early-season fight.
UNC earned a 1-1 draw at No. 5 Georgetown on Thursday, a result built on Joschi Schelb’s goal in his Tar Heel debut and a five-save performance from Alan Rutkowski in his first collegiate match.
That opening-night showing set the tone for a second straight road test, with Carolina set for kickoff against the Tigers at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m.
CT at the Track and Soccer Complex.
Memphis comes in off a 2-0 win at Belmont, while Carolina handled the Tigers well in last year’s meeting, scoring three times in a 3-0 victory.
The match will air on ESPN+ with Jeff Brightwell on the call.
For the Tar Heels, the opener at Georgetown offered an immediate glimpse of the pieces they’re leaning on this season. Schelb wasted no time making his mark, Rutkowski settled in for a strong debut in goal, and Carolina left with a result against a veteran Hoyas side.
Head coach Carlos Somoano enters his 16th season leading the program and his 25th overall, carrying a career record of 185-68-56.
Carolina opened the year in the “Others Receiving Votes” section of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 and checked in at No. 25 in the TopDrawerSoccer rankings. The Tar Heels’ transfer class of Nick Lockermann, Nico Loebus, Joschi Schelb and Ryan Zellefrow was ranked No. 2 by TopDrawerSoccer, while the incoming freshman group came in at No. 14.
Luca Nikolai, who was drafted by NYCFC, chose to return and finish his college career with UNC after earning third-team All-South Region and second-team All-ACC honors last season.
The Tar Heels also placed six players on Hermann Trophy Watch Lists. Lockermann was included among the defenders, while Evans Dapaah, Loebus, Nikolai, Schelb and Zellefrow were listed among the midfielders, though Schelb will play as a forward this season.
Rutkowski’s rise is another key storyline. After four seasons with Andrew Cordes in goal, the Elmwood, N.J. native has stepped into the starting role after spending last year as Cordes’ backup. Before arriving at Carolina, he played his club soccer with the New York Red Bulls.
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UNCs Overhaul Put One Huge Belichick Question Front And Center
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Michael Malones Early UNC Vision Could Change How The Tar Heels Win
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For a program long associated with frontcourt size and post presence, that emphasis says plenty about Malones priorities. He has been clear that toughness, effort and guard play will drive what UNC becomes next, and the real question now is how quickly those additions can turn that vision into something the Tar Heels can lean on when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen McGill Is Pushing For A Bigger UNC Role Before TCU
Jaylen McGill has spent the offseason trying to make himself harder to keep off the field, and North Carolinas sophomore running back says the work has centered on the details that coaches notice quickest. He pointed to improvement in pass protection and a growing comfort as a receiver, both signs that he is trying to become more than just another option in the backfield. With the opener against TCU set for Dublin, Ireland, McGill also sounded steady about the quarterback room and the way the offense is coming together under Bobby Petrino.
For a player looking to expand his role, those kinds of comments matter because they fit the broader tone coming out of Chapel Hill. McGill described a locker room that is tight and focused, with players buying into the standard the staff is setting. The Tar Heels still have to show it on game day, but McGills offseason message was clear: he wants a bigger piece of the offense, and he believes he is ready for the chance. [Read more 🡒]