Early Goals In Both Halves Send UNC On To NCAA Quarterfinals

Sunday, November 18

Cary, N.C. (WakeMed Soccer Park)

1 p.m.

North Carolina

20-3-1

Virginia Tech

11-8-3

Virginia Tech

North Carolina

Senior Samantha Leshnak posted her third clean sheet against Virginia Tech this season.

Photo by: Andy Mead

November 18, 2018 | Women's Soccer

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Tar Heels Whitewash Hokies For Third Time This Season

By: Dave Lohse

CARY, N.C. – For the second time in three weeks, senior forward Alex Kimball scored in the opening minutes to power the third-ranked University of North Carolina women's soccer team to a victory over Virginia Tech. Kimball scored the game-winner Sunday at the 7:28 mark to lead UNC to a 3-0 victory over the Hokies in the NCAA Tournament third round before 632 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park's Koka Booth Stadium.

UNC improved to 20-3-1 with the victory and it will now host an NCAA quarterfinal game next Saturday at 5 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Tar Heels will play either UCLA or NC State who meet in the third round Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST in Los Angeles.

Virginia Tech lost to Carolina for the third time this season and the Hokies saw their season end at 11-8-3. The 20 victories are the most for Carolina in a season since the 2013 team finished with a 20-5 record.

In the regular season meeting, UNC won at Virginia Tech 2-0 on October 13. Fifteen days later, the two teams met in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament with the Tar Heels prevailing 2-0 in Cary.

In the latter game, Alex Kimball moved into the starting lineup at center forward just three days after 2018 ACC Offensive Player of the Year Alessia Russo had broken her right leg against Wake Forest. Kimball came up big in that start, scoring in the third minute of play in the eventual 2-0 victory.

Kimball replicated the feat Sunday, scoring the game-winning goal and her fourth goal of the season at the 7:28 mark. Senior Julia Ashley sent a pass from the right side of the pitch that junior forward Bridgette Andrzejewski headed back to the near post, keeping the ball alive so Kimball could run on to the loose ball and head it home for a 1-0 Tar Heel lead.

Carolina went on to finish with a shot edge of 9-1 in the first half but Mandy McGlynn made two saves in the opening half to prevent UNC from growing its lead.

UNC would go on to score twice in the opening 11 minutes of the second half to put the game away. Alex Kimball got behind the Virginia Tech defense and shot from the left side of the box only to see her effort knocked down by McGlynn. Brianna Pinto was right there, however, to tap the rebound into the back of the net and the Tar Heels increased their lead to 2-0 at 48:01.

A third goal at 55:38 finished off whatever suspense remained in the encounter as a nifty set of passes resulted in Dorian Bailey's fourth goal of the season from about eight yards out in the left side of the penalty area. The goal finished off the passing combination deep in Hokie territory with Brianna Pinto being credited with the primary assist and Madison Schultz also assisting on the tally.

The Tar Heels outshot the Hokies 16-3 in the match, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. UNC took all eight corner kicks in the game. Samantha Leshnak earned the solo shutout in goal for the Tar Heels as she made two saves. McGlynn finished with four saves and three goals allowed in 90 minutes of play.

UNC improved to 17-2 all-time against the Hokies and has now won nine in a row in the series against Virginia Tech, including shutouts in the last five victories.

Next Saturday's NCAA quarterfinal game will be televised nationally on ACC Network Extra. Check for links for tickets, webcast and live stats on GoHeels.com later in the week.