Five UNC women's soccer players earn Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Top 100 rankings

Coming off a national championship season, the UNC women's soccer program once again has very high expectations heading into the 2025 season.

With the new season approaching, Top Drawer Soccer released its top 100 rankings. The preseason ranking only includes sophomores, juniors and seniors, as freshmen have not yet been considered.

You'll see plenty of Carolina Blue on this list, especially among the top 25. A total of five UNC women's soccer players were recognized, headlined by star Kate Faasse claiming the No. 1 overall spot.

Here's how the Tar Heels ranked in the initial preseason rankings:

No. 1- Kate Faasse (Forward)
No. 5- Tessa Dellarose (Defender)
No. 14- Olivia Thomas (Forward)
No. 22- Linda Ullmark (Midfielder)
No. 49- Bella Gaetino (Midfielder)

The Atlantic Coast Conference dominated this ranking, as six of the top 10 ranked players call an ACC program home. Two of those 10 reside in Chapel Hill, while three Tar Heels rank among the best 15 players in the entire country.

Leading up to her senior season, Faasse already has put together an illustrious college career. Her junior season was one for the record books, as the nation's outright leading goal scorer earned the following awards:

MAC Hermann Trophy, presented annually to the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year (8th Tar Heel to ever win the award)

MAC Hermann Trophy, presented annually to the National Player of the Year (8th Tar Heel ever to win the award)
Honda Sport Award for Soccer presented by the CWSA (11th Tar Heel ever to win the award)
TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year
United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team
United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team
All-ACC First Team
TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team
ACC All-Tournament Team
TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week (Dec. 4)

Dellarose, another rising senior, also has been an instrumental part of the UNC women's soccer program during her time in Chapel Hill. A co-captain, the Grindstone, Pennsylvania native also racked in the accolades during her junior season:

United Soccer Coaches All-America Fourth Team
United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Second Team
TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
2024-25 UNC Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete Award

Olivia Thomas will always be remembered in Carolina history, as her goal in the 62nd minute of the NCAA title game proved to be the difference, securing the UNC women's soccer program's 23rd national championship. Even though she missed eight games due to injury, Thomas was a force when she was active, ranking second on the team in both goals (9) and points (20).

Following a strong freshman season, the expectations for Linda Ullmark's second season in Chapel Hill are sky high. Ullmark started in all 27 games a season ago, finishing the season with six goals and five assists (17 points). She is highly-regarded as a top-10 player among the rising sophomore class.

Rounding out the Tar Heels' recipients is rising sophomore Bella Gaetino. Another freshman to appear in all 27 games a year ago, Gaetino helped anchor a back line which limited opponents to an impressive 8.0 shots per game and 3.8 shots on goal per game. This unit also only allowed one goal throughout the NCAA Tournament, allowing none in College Cup action.

You can expect to hear a lot about these five student-athletes, especially given that their 2025 season gets underway this week. With another trip to the national championship game on their minds, its safe to say that these players will play a significant role in helping lead the Tar Heels back to that point.