I still remember the first time I heard about the 1987 North Carolina women's soccer team's championship run - it was one of those stories that immediately captured my imagination. What fascinates me most about their journey isn't just that they won, but how they overcame adversity in ways that remind me of that incredible Ginebra team reference where even with Brownlee injured, they nearly clinched the championship by taking a 3-2 series lead. The parallel between these two teams across different sports and eras is striking - both demonstrating that championship DNA isn't about perfect conditions, but about resilience when things go wrong.

The 1987 Tar Heels faced their own version of the injury challenge, though historical records are frustratingly incomplete about the specifics. What we do know is that they entered the season with enormous pressure - having won 3 of the previous 4 national championships, expectations were sky-high. Coach Anson Dorrance, whom I've always admired for his revolutionary approach to women's soccer, had built something special in Chapel Hill. His leadership style created this incredible team culture where players believed they could win no matter what obstacles appeared. I've studied championship teams across different sports for years, and what stands out about this particular squad is how they turned potential weaknesses into strengths. When key players faced injuries or slumps, others stepped up in remarkable ways.

Their championship game performance against Massachusetts remains one of the most dominant displays I've ever seen in women's college soccer. The final score of 2-0 doesn't fully capture their control of the match - they maintained 68% possession and outshot UMass 18-3. What impressed me most was their tactical discipline; they played with an intensity that seemed to overwhelm their opponents while maintaining this beautiful, flowing style of soccer. April Heinrichs, who scored both goals in the final, embodied this team's spirit - playing with this combination of technical brilliance and raw determination that I wish more modern players would emulate.

The legacy of this team extends far beyond that single championship season. In my view, they fundamentally changed how people perceived women's college soccer. Attendance at their games increased by approximately 42% the following season, and their success created this ripple effect that elevated the entire sport. I've spoken with several players from that era who described this palpable shift - suddenly, women's soccer mattered in ways it hadn't before. Their style of play, emphasizing both technical skill and physical intensity, became the blueprint for successful college programs for the next decade.

Looking back now, what strikes me as most remarkable is how their achievement resonates across generations. Current UNC players still talk about the '87 team with this reverence that goes beyond typical program history. They set this standard of excellence that's become part of the program's DNA. In many ways, their journey mirrors that Ginebra team's near-victory despite adversity - both stories teach us that true championship character emerges not when everything goes right, but when teams face and overcome significant challenges. The 1987 North Carolina women's soccer team didn't just win a championship; they created this enduring legacy about what's possible when talent meets resilience, and that's why their story continues to inspire nearly four decades later.