Original ACC women’s soccer powerhouses take high-stakes trip to new West Coast members

The GIST: The effects of conference realignment will be on full display tomorrow as the ACC’s original women’s soccer powerhouses travel West to tackle their new Bay Area challengers. Expect the power balance in the nation’s toughest conference to be tested — with some world-class footy taking center-stage.

The vets: No. 2 UNC is the sport’s OG dynasty and a consistent top dog in the ACC. Even without legendary head coach Anson Dorrance, they’re looking lethal: Eight of the Tar Heels’ last 10 matches have been shutouts, giving them the second-best record in Division I (DI) at 12-1-0 (wins, losses, draws).

• Their lone loss came at the hands feet of Duke, whose nine-match win streak earned them yesterday’s poll’s top spot for the first time since 1992. The Blue Devils are always competitive in the ACC, but this season is shaping up to be their best in years.

The newbies: Since joining the ACC this offseason, legacy program No. 7 Stanford is on shaky ground: The Cardinal fell 1–0 to then–No. 13 Wake Forest in their ACC debut before coming to a disappointing 1–1 draw with unranked Pitt. They’ll need to find their footing fast to book a second straight trip to the national championship game.

• On the flip side, No. 17 Cal is thriving in their new conference home behind forward Karlie Lema’s breakout season — the senior’s 13 goals co-lead the nation in scoring rate, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

How to watch: UNC kicks off the coast-to-coast party against Cal tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET, with Duke vs. Stanford taking the pitch at 10 p.m. ET. Then on Sunday, the Carolina gals swap scenery: Cal hosts Duke and Stanford hosts UNC, both at 4 p.m. ET. All matchups will air on ACCNX. LFG!