Tar Heels Prevail In Defensive Battle At Clemson

Sunday, September 23

Clemson, S.C.

1 p.m.

North Carolina

8-2-1, 3-0-0ACC

Clemson

7-4-0, 2-1-0ACC

North Carolina

Clemson

Rachel Jones had her second game-winner in three ACC games for UNC.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

September 23, 2018 | Women's Soccer

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Jones scores game-winning goal for Tar Heels in 25th minute

By: Dave Lohse

CLEMSON, S.C. – The fifth-ranked University of North Carolina women's soccer team remained unbeaten in the Atlantic Coast Conference as it defeated Clemson 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Historic Riggs Field before a crowd of 571. Both teams had gone into the match undefeated in the ACC and the Tar Heels prevailed on a first half goal by Rachel Jones to improve to 8-2-1 overall and 3-0 in the ACC. Clemson fell to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in league play.

Both teams' defenses were at their best in what has annually become a close-knit game. In the last six meetings between the two teams, UNC has five one-goal wins and the other match ended in a 1-1 tie in a regular season meeting at Clemson.

The only goal of the game came at 24:59 when Rachel Jones took the ball away from a Tiger defender, dribbled into the box and expertly finished into the right side of the frame from 15 yards out past Clemson goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. It was Jones' second goal of the season and her second game-winning tally. She also scored in the first half of UNC's 1-0 win at Florida State nine days ago.

Claudia Dickey had made a key save early in the half for the Tar Heels at 8:23 of the match to keep the game deadlocked. Off a long throw in by Sam Staab that found the head of Dani Antieau just yards away from the goal Dickey smothered Antieau's header, keeping it from going over the line by just inches. Clemson's other best chance came in the 51^st minutes when a shot by Mariana Speckmaier was deflected by a Tar Heel defender before going off the left post.

UNC finished with an 11-6 edge in total shots and a 3-2 margin in shots on goal. UNC had five corner kicks in the game, compared to one for the Tigers.

MacIver played the whole way in goal for Clemson, making two saves. Dickey played the first half for Carolina in goal and Samantha Leshnak played the second half. Each made one save.

With the win, the Tar Heels improved their all-time record against the Tigers to 32-1-1.

The Tar Heels will be back in action on Saturday, September 29 at 12:30 p.m. against the University of Louisville Cardinals at Finley Fields South in Chapel Hill. The game will be televised nationally on ACC Network Extra.