PN/Photo/ Willis Glassgow
By Zackari Ciboth, Sport Editor
The UNC-Pembroke Women’s Soccer team will open the 2023 season on Friday Sept. 1 against North Georgia at 12pm. The Braves come into the new season coming off an overall record of 16-3-2 and a Conference Carolina record of 10-1-1. They claimed victory in the Conference Carolina Championship Tournament, defeating North Greenville 3-1.
“I think they’re handling the fact that there’s some expectations on us. We are a team that are back-to-back conference champions. We’re no longer new to this league, people in this league know who we are, and we put down a solid mark.” Girls Soccer coach Lars Anderson said.” I think ultimately, they have to answer is to themselves and I think they set extremely high standards for themselves. I think our fitness is getting to where it needs to be, and I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Coming off their sixth NCAA Tournament the Black and Gold fell in the first round to Flagler 1-0. Entering his 23rd season as the head coach for the black and gold Anderson will look to claim another Conference Carolina Championship and return to the NCAA tournament for a seventh time in program history.
“We have never won a regular season championship and it would be nice to finally win one along with the conference championship, so that’s one of our goals.” Anderson said. “We’ve obviously make six NCAA tournaments and have never been past the second round and the way that the support is these days we are in a position to where we can get past the second round. I think we can be in a position to make that deep run.”
The Braves brought in a total of 22 players on the roster with 13 returners from last season and a new crop of eight players from high school and the transfer portal. Coach Anderson goal with this squad is to win the regular season championship along with the conference championship and a NCCA tournament appearance and make it past the second round.
We brought in eight new players, not only four are coming from High School but the rest are transfers. So that means you’re bringing in players that already have college experience. We’re kind of finding the right mix to have out there slowly working on that but I think we’re doing a pretty good job of doing that.” Anderson said.
For more information visit https://uncpbraves.com/index.aspx