Carolina’s Champions: A Dive into UNC Athletics

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Ally Sentnor, one of the leading athletes in the U.S. Youth National Team program in recent years who received her first cap with the USWNT at the end of the previous year, has been honored as the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year.

As a forward/midfielder, Sentnor becomes the ninth Tar Heel to achieve this esteemed distinction since it was established in 1998. 

Previous UNC recipients include the first awardee and current U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow (1998), Lorrie Fair (1999), Lindsay Tarpley (2002), Catherine Reddick (2003), Heather O’Reilly (2004), Lori Chalupny (2005), Tobin Heath (2009), and Brianna Pinto (2019). 

Including Sentnor, 23 out of the 27 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year winners have made appearances with the full USWNT. A total of fifteen have participated in a FIFA World Cup. 

“The terms that resonate with me are thankful and honored,” Sentnor expressed to U.S. Soccer. “To see the roster of players who have triumphed before me demonstrates the possibilities that lie ahead. I recognize that there is much work to be done for myself and my generation, but we’ve benefited from extraordinary role models among past and current veteran players on the team. I’m thrilled about the next phases that (USWNT head coach) Emma (Hayes) is initiating with the National Team, and I will strive diligently to earn more chances to be part of this remarkable group of players.”

Sentnor concluded 2024 by receiving her first senior USWNT call-up following one of the most decorated women’s youth national team careers in recent memory, scoring at nearly every youth level. She led the U.S. squad that secured bronze at the U20 World Cup this fall, also earning the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player by scoring three goals.

She became the third Tar Heel ever chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the NWSL Draft, joining Utah Royals FC.

A candidate for NWSL Rookie of the Year, she recorded three goals and four assists for Utah in 2024 while playing 1,866 minutes across 21 matches, all of which were starts. Additionally, she participated in two games during the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, scoring in both against Tijuana and the Portland Thorns. Sentnor earned the title of NWSL Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month for July 2024, being only the second player to win both honors in the same month.

Throughout her two full seasons at Carolina, Sentnor accumulated 21 goals, nine assists, and 51 points over 48 career appearances. She was acknowledged as ACC Midfielder of the Year, United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-America, United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Atlantic Region, and All-ACC First Team in 2023.

This marks Sentnor’s fourth and final nomination for U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, as players are only permitted to win once. 

Freshman Trinity Armstrong, who recently transitioned to professional status after aiding UNC in clinching the national championship, was also nominated for the accolade as the sole collegiate representative on the Young Female Player of the Year ballot.

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