Ashlyn Harris was one of five former Tar Heels named to the U.S. women’s national team roster for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Harris started her career with the Heels in the spring of 2005, although she was benched until the summer due to a thumb injury. In the fall of 2005, during her first practice back with the team, she tore her ACL which kept her out of the 2005 season.

While training with the U-21 Women's National Team in 2006, Harris suffered another ACL tear but she was able to rehab just in time for the NCAA tournament, where she played all six tournament matches for the Heels.

Finally recovered from injury, Harris played her sophomore season splitting time with junior goalkeeper Anna Rodenbough. Throughout the season, Harris allowed nine goals and made 29 saves, giving a 0.763 save percentage. In her junior season, Harris again alternated with Rodenbough. She allowed nine goals and made 28 saves, for a 0.757 save percentage.

In her senior season, Harris was finally the full-time starter for the Heels. She played for a total of 2,163 minutes, allowed 10 goals and recorded 45 saves, giving a 0.818 save percentage.

During her time with the UNC women’s soccer team, Harris brought home three NCAA tournament championships (2006, 2008 and 2009).

As she moved into her professional career, Harris worked her way through the W-league, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). On occasion along the way she trained alongside star goalkeeper for the USWNT, Hope Solo.

Between 2010 and 2015, Solo suffered various injuries that allowed Harris to be called up to play for the national team in select games and begin to make her mark on the international stage.

With Hope Solo’s suspension from the U.S. women’s national team following her behavior in the 2016 Olympics, Harris looked to become a more permanent replacement for Solo.

She competed against Alyssa Naeher for the number one goalkeeper spot; however, a quad injury sustained in May 2017 limited Harris’ play time. This allowed Naeher to claim the top spot.

In the 2019 Women’s World Cup, it is expected that Alyssa Naeher will serve as the main keeper and Ashlyn Harris was play as her backup.