The UNC Women’s Soccer team after their victory.
UNC Women’s Soccer achieved a historic victory on December 9, defeating Wake Forest 1–0 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The win marked the team’s 22rd NCAA title and 23rd national championship, ending a 12-year drought since Carolina triumphed over Penn State in 2012.
Midfielder and forward Ella Smith ’27 of Charlotte played a vital role in the Tar Heels victory, contributing to the team’s cohesion and energy from the sidelines. After losing nearly half of its players within the past year, the team depended on every single player, on and off the field, in this pivotal moment in its rebuilding journey.
The team went from a dozen returning players into a 27-person team that ‘was able to overcome incredibly unique circumstances and beat the odds,’ the scholar shared.
“Nobody thought we would make it this far, let alone win, but we used that as motivation,” she said. “We are so happy to bring the national championship back to Carolina,” she said. Ella is a business, marketing, and management major in Kenan-Flagler.
Ella joined the Morehead-Cain community this fall through the Sophomore Selection process.
A dedicated and impactful student-athlete on the pitch and beyond, Ella serves on the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Group, mentors through Carolina NAVIGATE, and supports children with cancer with Team IMPACT.
The scholar is also part of the University’s Institute of Innovation, a collaboration between the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the UNC School of Law. The non-profit promotes reading and mitigating the negative impacts of screen time on children.
Ella is dedicated to CFK Africa, supporting the international leadership team focused on economic empowerment for the informal settlement in Kibera, Kenya, and partnering with the club Kibera Soccer Women to connect women in sports internationally.
