No. 5 Women's Soccer Draws 0-0 with No. 2 Virginia

Sunday, October 3

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1 PM

North Carolina

8-1-2, 1-1-2

Virginia

10-1-1, 3-0-1

Virginia

North Carolina

October 3, 2021 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Tar Heels Double Cavs in Shots, Corners

By: Steve Kirschner

No. 5 North Carolina outshot second-ranked Virginia, 20-10, had twice as many corner kicks and hit the post twice, but the women's soccer teams played to a scoreless tie before 2,222 fans Sunday at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels are 8-1-2 overall and 1-1-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while the Cavaliers are 10-1-1, 3-0-1.

The Tar Heels had numerous opportunities in the second half and throughout overtime, but were kept off the scoreboard by Virginia goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, who made five saves, the post and errant shots.

Carolina had the best and most numerous scoring chances in the game, including three in overtime that would have ended the contest. Abby Allen's header off a corner kick, one of a season-high 14 for UNC, slammed into the right post with 1:55 to play in the first 10-minute overtime period.

Midway through the second extra period, Emily Colton broke free for an apparent one-on-one but defender Talia Staude raced back to block Colton's shot. Ninety seconds later, another Tar Heel corner was headed straight up by Maycee Bell, then was re-directed in front of the goal where Emily Murphy launched it over the cross bar from six yards out.

Virginia's most dangerous threat in overtime came early in the second session when Diana Ordonez blasted a long shot right at UNC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, who recorded two saves for her 26^th career solo shutout.

This was Carolina's fourth overtime game in its first 11 contests this season. The Tar Heels have defeated Arkansas and Stanford and tied Virginia and Virginia Tech. All four have been played at Dorrance Field.

It was Carolina's first scoreless tie since the 2019 NCAA championship game against Stanford.

Carolina out-cornered the Cavaliers, 7-1, in the first half, but the best scoring chances in regulation came in the second half. The Tar Heels had three outstanding opportunities early in the second period. Colton hit the right post just under 10 minutes into the half after a pass from Murphy.

Twenty-three seconds later, Ivory made a diving save of a header by Rachel Jones. Then with 32:43 to play, Ivory made another diving stop of a Colton shot from the top of the box after a cross from Jones.

With 22 minutes to play, Bella Sember hit the side netting from inside the top of the box.

Virginia's best chances of the second half came with 11:47 to play. Haley Hopkins fed Alexa Spaanstra, whose shot from the right side skimmed off the top of the frame. Moments later, Ordonez's shot from 12 yards out was blocked by UNC defender Abby Allen.

The Tar Heels started their reserve unit in the first overtime.

"Unlike most programs we invest in our reserves," says UNC head coach Anson Dorrance. "I know how to play with 11 starters and three reserves. But we are college coaches and these are college kids. My mission is certainly to win as many games as I can, but my main priority is human development. The kids appreciate the fact that I trust them. I was so proud of them. I told (the reserves) they were magnificent in the first overtime and the starters were magnificent in the second."

Carolina returns to action at Pittsburgh on Thursday, October 7, at 7 p.m.