Thursday, August 30
Durham, N.C.
4:30 p.m.
North Carolina
4-0-1
1
vs
0
Providence
3-1-0
1
2
F
Providence
0
0
0
North Carolina
1
0
1
Julia Ashley had the game-winner as UNC edged Providence.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Ashley’s Game-Winner Lifts Tar Heels Past Friars
August 30, 2018 | Women's Soccer
Tar Heels improve to 4-0-1 on the season.
DURHAM, N.C. – Senior defender Julia Ashley scored the second game-winning goal of her career to lift the third-ranked University of North Carolina women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Providence College Thursday afternoon at Koskinen Stadium in a game played as part of the 2018 Duke Nike Classic.
The Tar Heels outshot the Friars 19-8 in the match and had a 12-1 edge in corner kicks but they had trouble finishing their chances against a Providence team that had not allowed a goal in its first three matches.
The only goal of the game came at the 39:43 mark of the match. Sophomore forward Alessia Russo, playing in her first game of the year after returning to the team from the FIFA U20 World Cup in France where she was playing for the English side that won the bronze medal, set up the goal by striking a shot from distance. Providence goalkeeper Shelby Hogan knocked down Russo's post but was unable to corral it at the right post. Ashley, UNC's fourth-year starting right back, took off on a dead sprint from the top of the box, pounced on the ball and finished inside the right post for her third career goal. It was her second game-winning goal. She also had one against Virginia Tech last year.
The game was played in 93 degree temperatures and UNC head coach Anson Dorrance played 23 players to keep the Tar Heels fresh. Every one of those 23 players competed for at least 10 minutes and 18 players were on the pitch for at least 22 minutes.
UNC played two goalkeepers. Samantha Leshnak played the opening 45 minutes and was credited with the win. She made Carolina's only save of the game as just one of seven Providence shots were on frame. Claudia Dickey played the second half for Carolina. Shelby Hogan played the whole way for Providence, making six saves.
Carolina led in shots on goal 8-1.
UNC returns to the pitch on Sunday at noon when it plays Marquette (0-3-1) in the Duke Nike Classic at Koskinen Stadium.
The Tar Heels outshot the Friars 19-8 in the match and had a 12-1 edge in corner kicks but they had trouble finishing their chances against a Providence team that had not allowed a goal in its first three matches.
The only goal of the game came at the 39:43 mark of the match. Sophomore forward Alessia Russo, playing in her first game of the year after returning to the team from the FIFA U20 World Cup in France where she was playing for the English side that won the bronze medal, set up the goal by striking a shot from distance. Providence goalkeeper Shelby Hogan knocked down Russo's post but was unable to corral it at the right post. Ashley, UNC's fourth-year starting right back, took off on a dead sprint from the top of the box, pounced on the ball and finished inside the right post for her third career goal. It was her second game-winning goal. She also had one against Virginia Tech last year.
The game was played in 93 degree temperatures and UNC head coach Anson Dorrance played 23 players to keep the Tar Heels fresh. Every one of those 23 players competed for at least 10 minutes and 18 players were on the pitch for at least 22 minutes.
UNC played two goalkeepers. Samantha Leshnak played the opening 45 minutes and was credited with the win. She made Carolina's only save of the game as just one of seven Providence shots were on frame. Claudia Dickey played the second half for Carolina. Shelby Hogan played the whole way for Providence, making six saves.
Carolina led in shots on goal 8-1.
UNC returns to the pitch on Sunday at noon when it plays Marquette (0-3-1) in the Duke Nike Classic at Koskinen Stadium.
Team Stats
PC
NC
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
19
Shots on Goal
1
8
Saves
7
1
Corners
1
12
Fouls
2
5
Scoring Plays
Julia Ashley (1)
Assisted By: Alessia Russo
Off rebound from 19 shot
39:43
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's SoccerForward
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