By Lauren Green
NJWildcats.com Junior Correspondent

Author's Note: If you ever have an opportunity to go to the University of North Carolina’s soccer camp, I highly recommend it. You learn various soccer skills and the camp meetings at night are invaluable. Not only was I lucky enough to attend the camp from June 25th-29th but I also had the privilege of speaking to Tar Heels head coach Anson Dorrance about the W-League, his UNC players on the Wildcats, and women’s professional soccer as well as what it takes to be a Tar Heel.

It only helps them improve

Kacey White, Kendall Fletcher, Catherine Reddick, Lindsay Tarpley and Heather O’Reilly all played one season together at UNC (2003). All bring different qualities to any team they play on.

• "Catherine Reddick brings strength and a good leg," Anson stated about the Wildcats and National team defender who can accurately serve long balls over 40 yards.
• "Lindsay Tarpley is a phenomenal goal scorer," Dorrance continued on Tarpley, who scored the opening goal against Brazil in the final of last year’s Olympics and also scored the game winner in the 2002 Under 19 World Cup final. She also won the Bronze Boot during the tournament.
• "Heather O’Reilly brings speed, quickness and energy," Anson said of the speedy forward. She runs the 40 yard dash in 5 seconds.
• "Kendall Fletcher brings speed and heading ability." Anson added about the three-year returning senior defender.
• "Kacey White brings immense skill and speed," Anson said regarding the senior midfielder who was a part of last year’s US Under-21 Nordic Cup championship team.

Now that they’re playing for the Wildcats their college coach, or former college coach in Cat’s case, couldn’t be happier.

"I love it," Anson said. "It helps their development. Playing with and against great players only improves the girls."

And they certainly have played with and against some great players. On the Wildcats, they compete with former WUSA All-Star Jenny Benson, Canada’s Christine Latham and Karina LeBlanc, fellow National team member Christie Welsh as well as recently signed England National Team players Rachel Yankey and Rachel Unitt. That’s not all. There are the several youth National team members in Jen Redmond (US U-20 National Team) as well as Tobin Heath, Carolyn Blank and Elisabeth Redmond (US U-17 National Team).

Anson Dorrance with Lindsay Tarpley (UNC website)

Also throw in opponents such as US U-20 National Team members Laura Comeau and Becky Sauerbrunn, who both attend University of Virginia and play for the Boston Renegades, in addition to the likes of 2004 US Olympic Gold Medallists Kristin Luckenbill (Vermont Lady Voltage) and Angela Hucles (Boston Renegades). Their time with the Wildcats will only lead to an improvement in their skills which will only make the Tar Heels better come September when they open up the season on the road against the University of Tennessee.

Looking into the future of women’s soccer in America

From 2001-2003 the best women’s soccer players around the world came to America to play in the WUSA. The league folded after the 2003 season leaving more than 160 players without a place to play. For the time being, the W-League has replaced the WUSA. With plans underway to eventually revive the pro league, one can only wonder what form it will take.

"Not the WUSA – it would be the equivalent to the A-League," Anson stated. "But the W-League would still exist."

Exist it may, but the league’s top players would be leaving. That would mean future professionals such as Reddick, O’Reilly, Tarpley, White, and Fletcher as well as former WUSA players Latham, LeBlanc, and Benson would be heading to the professional ranks.

Dreaming of Carolina Blue

There are countless soccer-playing girls out there dreaming of wearing the famous Carolina Blue. To make it at UNC, not only must you work hard on the athletic end of things, but also on the academic side of things.

"Work hard to be the best you can and study hard!" Anson encouraged.

The Tar Heels mentor explained three other things that his staff looks for.

"Self discipline, self belief, and competitive fire," Dorrance explained. "If you have all three, you have the potential for athletic greatness."

Competitive fire was one thing that Anson elaborated on at the UNC Camp. UNC is a very competitive school and the Tar Heels players are trained in an extremely competitive atmosphere. They both look for and nurture it.

As many talented players as ODP has identified, you don’t "have to" play ODP to play for the ‘Heels. About 50% of the players are walk-ons. Attending UNC Camp can be very beneficial and rewarding as well. One particular year, seven out of the eleven starters were former campers.

Keep dreaming of that Carolina blue!

- Lauren Green is a Junior Correspondent for NJWildcats.com. She is 14 years old and attends eighth grade at DeMasi Middle School in Marlton. She is an avid soccer fan and writer and she plays in the South Jersey Girls Soccer League.