9 April 1951 - The Man From UNC

On 9 April 1951, US National Hall of Fame coach Anson Dorrance was born in Bombay, India. He went on to guide the UNC women's team to 21 national championships and the US national team to the 1991 Women's World Cup.

The son of an American oil executive, Dorrance spent the early part of his life abroad, including a lengthy spell in Kenya where he cultivated his love of football. While a student at the University of North Carolina, he walked onto the football team and earned all-ACC honors three times.

He took over as coach of the UNC men's team in 1977 and ran it until 1988. In the process, he won the 1987 ACC title and led UNC to that season's NCAA Final Four. His success that season resulted in the NCAA naming him their 1988 Men's Soccer Coach of the Year.

In 1979, while still coaching the men's team, Dorrance also took charge of the newly-established UNC women's team. He won his first NCAA title in his third season, with his team winning all 23 matches they played. Under Dorrance, UNC went on to win 21 NCAA titles with players such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and April Heinrichs.

From 1986 to 1994, Dorrance also managed the US women's national team, taking them to the first Women's World Cup in 1991. Led on the pitch by Hamm and Lilly, they claimed the title by winning all six of their matches in the tournament.

Dorrance remains at UNC, who won their most recent national title in 2012.

7 December 2008 - The Dorrance Dynasty

On 7 December 2008, the University of North Carolina women defeated Notre Dame 2-1 to capture their 19th NCAA Women's Soccer Championship, all under head coach Anson Dorrance. The heroine of the match was UNC junior forward Casey Nogueira, who scored both Tar Heel goals on her way to being named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player.

The match did not start favorably for UNC, as Notre Dame's Kerri Hanks gave the Golden Domers the lead after just 16 seconds. Notre Dame had kicked off to start the match and Hanks sprinted past the UNC defense to receive a lobbed ball from Courtney Rosen, which she then collected and slotted into the bottom right corner of the net. Hanks' goal was the fastest goal scored in Notre Dame history.

Notre Dame fought to protect the lead and their unbeaten season, but were flagged for a foul just outside the box in the 52nd minute. Nogueira took the ensuing free kick and blasted a right-footer into the net for the equalizer. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, she dribbled into the left side of the Notre Dame box and chipped a left-footed shot over Notre Dame keeper Kelsey Lysander.

Notre Dame thought they had a chance to equalize in the final minute when Hanks went down in the box, but the referee did not call a foul and UNC held on to claim the victory.

In 2012, Dorrance's UNC women beat Penn State to claim their 21st NCAA title.

9 April 1951 - The Man From UNC

On 9 April 1951, future US National Hall of Fame coach Anson Dorrance was born in Bombay, India. He would go on to guide the UNC women's team to 20 national championships and the US national team to the 1991 Women's World Cup.

The son of an American oil executive, Dorrance spent the early part of his life abroad, including a lengthy spell in Kenya where he cultivated his love of football. While a student at the University of North Carolina, he walked onto the football team and earned all-ACC honors three times.

He took over as coach of the UNC men's team in 1977 and ran it until 1988. In the process, he won the 1987 ACC title and led UNC to that season's NCAA Final Four. His success that season resulted in the NCAA naming him their 1988 Men's Soccer Coach of the Year.

In 1979, while still coaching the men's team, Dorrance also took charge of the newly-established UNC women's team. He won his first NCAA title in his third season, with his team winning all 23 matches they played. Under Dorrance, UNC went on to win 20 NCAA titles with players such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and April Heinrichs.

From 1986 to 1994, Dorrance also managed the US women's national team, taking them to the first Women's World Cup in 1991. Led on the pitch by Hamm and Lilly, they claimed the title by winning all six of their matches in the tournament.

Dorrance remains at UNC, who won their most recent national title in 2009.

7 December 2008 - The Dorrance Dynasty

On 7 December 2008, the University of North Carolina women defeated Notre Dame 2-1 to capture their 19th NCAA Women's Soccer Championship, all under head coach Anson Dorrance. The heroine of the match was UNC junior forward Casey Nogueira, who scored both Tar Heel goals on her way to being named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player.

The match did not start favorably for UNC, as Notre Dame's Kerri Hanks gave the Golden Domers the lead after just 16 seconds. Notre Dame had kicked off to start the match and Hanks sprinted past the UNC defense to receive a lobbed ball from Courtney Rosen, which she then collected and slotted into the bottom right corner of the net. Hanks' goal was the fastest goal scored in Notre Dame history.

Notre Dame fought to protect the lead and their unbeaten season, but were flagged for a foul just outside the box in the 52nd minute. Nogueira took the ensuing free kick and blasted a right-footer into the net for the equalizer. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, she dribbled into the left side of the Notre Dame box and chipped a left-footed shot over Notre Dame keeper Kelsey Lysander.

Notre Dame thought they had a chance to equalize in the final minute when Hanks went down in the box, but the referee did not call a foul and UNC held on to claim the victory.

In 2009, Dorrance's UNC women beat Stanford 1-0 to claim their 20th NCAA title.