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UNC soccer player Aven Alvarez had an emotional reunion with her father Daniel Alvarez, who made a surprise visit to Tarheel's camp. Daniel served in the US military overseas and met his daughter after six months.
Wearing the U.S. military uniform, Daniel entered the room where players were seated for a team meeting. Daniel held a placard that read:
"I've waited 6 months to hug my Tarheel."
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Tears started rolling down the cheeks of Aven Alvarez as soon as she saw her father entering. She rose and rushed to hug him. Other players, too, were teary-eyed. They huddled together later to take pictures with the father-daughter duo.
The X/Twitter handle of UNC Women's Soccer shared the pictures of the moment with the caption:
"Not a dry eye in the building. Still not over yesterday's homecoming!"
Daniel Alvarez graduated from the same university and played soccer at Furham. He also played professional soccer with the Virginia Mariners and Cincinnati.
Eighth-ranked Tarheels were going to face Pitt on Thursday night (September 19) as Daniel came to meet his daughter. Aven has played in all nine games, starting in three.
Tarheels faced Pitts and won 1-0 as Daniel watched her daughter in action from the stands. With a record of 9-1 in the season, Tarheels will face Orange next on Sunday (September 22).
UNC is like a home to Aven Alvarez
Alvarez had been away from her father for six months. But UNC is a place she loves to be at. She has likened the university to her home, per University of North Carolina Athletics.
"I chose UNC because of its academic and athletic rigor. It also felt less like a university and more like a home, a place where I could become the best version of myself," she said (via goheels.com).
Aven Alvarez attended Crossroads FLEX High School in Cary, North Carolina. She earned a bronze with the U.S. U-19 Women's Youth National Team at the Pan American Games in Santiago.
What do you think about Aven Alvarez's reaction after seeing her father? Let us know in the comments section below.
