College Cup: Women's Final Preview

by Victor Olorunfemi

December 9, 2024

The 2024 Women’s College Cup final offers a fascinating juxtaposition of high geographical familiarity with vastly contrasting team structures. For one, the occasion will be an all-North Carolina affair, from the final being played in Cary to Wake Forest and UNC hailing from the state. That in-state clash for a national title is the first time that has happened since 1992. If that is not enough, consider that both teams are in the ACC and played a September conference match that ended in a 1-0 North Carolina win.

MORE: Wake Forest's Journey to College Cup

MORE: North Carolina's Journey to College Cup

That is where the similarities end. These teams could not be more different in every other metric. Starting with the historical context, this is the first College Cup the Deacs have ever reached. In contrast, North Carolina is college soccer’s premier program, winning precisely half of the 42 national championships that have occurred. Next, regarding roster construction, 16 of Wake Forest’s 19 seniors have spent all four years with the team. On the other hand, North Carolina practically built this team from scratch, returning just one starter from the 2023 season after losing 21 players in the off-season. Lastly, there is the experience of the coaching staff. Tony De Luz is leading Wake Forest for a 28th season compared to Damon Nahas, an interim head coach who took over just four days before the 2024 season when the legendary Anson Dorrance abruptly retired.

With that said, the experience factor heavily favors a Wake Forest team that started eight seniors in the semi-final triumph. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels started four freshmen and just two seniors. North Carolina makes up the difference in the front three of Olivia Thomas, Madeline Dahlien, and Kate Faasse, who all scored in the semi-final victory.

Wake Forest Strengths

This squad operates with a unique level of chemistry reserved for teams who have spent years crafting an ideal roster with plenty of veteran leaders and game-changers. Take the center-back duo of Laurel Ansbrow and Zara Chavoshi, two seniors starting their 51st game together on Monday evening. That experience, combined with an incredible sophomore goalkeeper in Valentina Amaral and a record-breaking junior forward like Caiya Hanks, gives Wake Forest a perfect balance of veteran quality and impact-making stars. Then you have the storyline revolving around the three Emilys in the starting lineup. Emily Morris has earned a reputation as a big game player, having scored the winner against Stanford, another winner in the second-round defeat of Colorado, and a goal in both games versus defending national champion Florida State. Emily Murphy and Emily Colton will play against their former team, with Murphy transferring in 2023 and Colton in 2024.

North Carolina Strengths

The Tar Heels have a highly athletic and in-form front three for Wake Forest to contend with. Faasse rightfully receives most of the attention with her 20 goals leading the nation, but Dahlien is an electrifying dribbler who played at the U20 World Cup this fall, and Thomas has been measured as the fastest player in North Carolina program history. Those three could change the game at any point, especially if freshman Trinity Armstrong leads the backline with class as she has all season.

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast