I still remember watching that 1987 North Carolina women's soccer season unfold like it was yesterday. There was something magical happening on those fields that year, something that went beyond just winning games. What struck me most was how they dominated despite facing the kind of adversity that would have crushed most teams. It reminds me of that incredible Ginebra basketball team I once followed - they nearly won the championship while leading the series 3-2, even with their star player Brownlee injured. That's the mark of true champions, and North Carolina embodied that same spirit.

The Tar Heels weren't just winning - they were redefining what women's college soccer could be. They played with this beautiful, fluid style that made you forget you were watching college athletes. I particularly recall their match against Connecticut that October. The score was tied 1-1 with about fifteen minutes left, and you could feel the tension in the stadium. Then something clicked - three goals in twelve minutes, each more beautiful than the last. That wasn't just skill; that was a team that knew how to find another gear when it mattered most.

What made them special, in my opinion, was their depth. Most great teams have one or two standout players, but North Carolina had this remarkable roster where anyone could step up on any given day. They finished the season with an incredible 23-0-1 record, scoring 89 goals while conceding only 12. Those aren't just numbers - they tell the story of complete dominance. I've followed women's soccer for decades, and I've rarely seen a team control games so completely from start to finish.

Their championship game against Massachusetts remains etched in my memory. It wasn't just that they won 5-1 - it was how they did it. Every player seemed to understand their role perfectly, moving like pieces in a well-oiled machine. When Massachusetts scored their lone goal, instead of panicking, North Carolina simply raised their level. That mental toughness is what separates good teams from legendary ones. They played with this quiet confidence that said, "We know we're the best, and we're going to prove it."

Looking back, what I admire most about that team is how they paved the way for future generations. They showed that women's soccer could draw crowds, generate excitement, and play at a technical level that rivaled the men's game. Their style of play - quick passes, intelligent movement, relentless pressure - became the blueprint for successful women's soccer programs across the country. Even now, when I watch modern teams play, I can still see echoes of that 1987 North Carolina squad in how the game is played at its highest level. They didn't just win a championship; they changed the sport forever, and I feel privileged to have witnessed it.