North Carolina captain and All-American defender Maycee Bell out for season with knee injury

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina women’s soccer All-America defender and captain Maycee Bell will miss the remainder of the 2022 season with a torn meniscus in her left knee.

The injury occurred during the second half of the Tar Heels’ season opening win over Tennessee on Aug. 18.

“I am devastated this season has come to an end for me, but I am so excited to see all this team accomplishes and cheer them on the entire way,” Bell said. “I’m just going to try focus on getting better and the fact I get to be at UNC for another year with these amazing girls.”

Bell, a two-time All-ACC performer, has played in 57 career games and has scored five goals from her back line position. She anchored a defense that has produced 43 clean sheets over the last three seasons.

“For all the games that Maycee took care of us, now it’s our turn to take care of her,” UNC head coach Anson Dorrance said. “She has extraordinary potential and yes, there are options for us to take to have her play this season and get on the field, but she is a world class soccer player with huge potential so what we’re going do is the safest thing to protect her future.

“Unquestionably, we will miss her, but her future is bright and we are going to make sure it stays that way.”

The top-ranked Tar Heels have won each of their first three games to start the season and will return to the pitch on Sunday, Aug. 28, against Baylor in Austin, Texas.