Sunday, August 22
Chapel Hill, N.C.
1 PM
North Carolina
2-0-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
Arkansas
0-2-0, 0-0-0
1
2
3
F
Arkansas
0
0
0
0
North Carolina
0
0
1
1
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Meza's Golden Goal Propels No. 3 Tar Heels Over No. 13 Arkansas
August 22, 2021 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL – After a hard-fought 97 minutes, Sam Meza lifted No. 3 North Carolina (2-0) over No. 13 Arkansas (0-20) with a 19-yard rocket off of her right foot that landed in the top-left of the Arkansas' net for Carolina's golden goal.
Arkansas came out of the gate hot, but as time passed, Carolina's grips tightened and eventually propelled the Tar Heels to an overtime victory, its first since a 2-1 win over Virginia on Nov. 10, 2019.
Each team traded shots in the first 15 minutes, but the match remained scoreless. Rachel Jones recorded Carolina's first shot in the third minute, but Arkansas' backline blocked the attempt.
Carolina peppered the Arkansas goalkeeper in the 31st minute when Maggie Pierce and Aleigh Gambone each had opportunities, but Pierce's attempt was blocked and Gambone's shot sailed high.
A battle through the first half, each side was issued a yellow card.
At the break, the score was knotted at zero. UNC led in shots (6-3) and corner kicks (4-1). The Razorbacks and Tar Heels each recorded one shot on goal through the first 45 minutes.
Carolina came out of the half pressing and recorded four shots in the first two minutes of the period.
Emily Colton provided North Carolina its best opportunity of the game to that point in the 59th minute after she collected a pass from Rachel Jones in the box, but the freshman pushed the ball just right of the net.
Following an Arkansas corner kick in the 83rd minute, the ball bounced around in the UNC box, and proved to be the Razorbacks best opportunity. The Arkansas player took a strike at the UNC net, but Rachel Jones slid in front of the net to preserve the tie match.
After an hour lightning delay at the conclusion of regulation, Sam Meza fired a shot three minutes into overtime but the Arkansas goalkeeper made a sliding stop to safe the game for the Razorbacks.
Emily Murphy and Libby Moore followed with a pair of shots just four minutes after but couldn't connect.
Meza ended the match with her game-winner just two minutes after her first shot in overtime.
Carolina ended the match with a 21-6 shot advantage and earned nine corner kicks compared to the Razorbacks' two.
The Tar Heels journey to Illinois (Aug. 26) and Ohio State (Aug. 29) for their first road tests of the season.
Below are highlights from today's match.
💣😏
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) August 22, 2021
👏 @sammez10 pic.twitter.com/uLuhcX6tNj
Arkansas came out of the gate hot, but as time passed, Carolina's grips tightened and eventually propelled the Tar Heels to an overtime victory, its first since a 2-1 win over Virginia on Nov. 10, 2019.
Each team traded shots in the first 15 minutes, but the match remained scoreless. Rachel Jones recorded Carolina's first shot in the third minute, but Arkansas' backline blocked the attempt.
Carolina peppered the Arkansas goalkeeper in the 31st minute when Maggie Pierce and Aleigh Gambone each had opportunities, but Pierce's attempt was blocked and Gambone's shot sailed high.
A battle through the first half, each side was issued a yellow card.
At the break, the score was knotted at zero. UNC led in shots (6-3) and corner kicks (4-1). The Razorbacks and Tar Heels each recorded one shot on goal through the first 45 minutes.
Carolina came out of the half pressing and recorded four shots in the first two minutes of the period.
Emily Colton provided North Carolina its best opportunity of the game to that point in the 59th minute after she collected a pass from Rachel Jones in the box, but the freshman pushed the ball just right of the net.
Following an Arkansas corner kick in the 83rd minute, the ball bounced around in the UNC box, and proved to be the Razorbacks best opportunity. The Arkansas player took a strike at the UNC net, but Rachel Jones slid in front of the net to preserve the tie match.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡 😎
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) August 22, 2021
WHAT A PLAY BY RACHEL JONES! OH MY! pic.twitter.com/QGRYfpDLCr
After an hour lightning delay at the conclusion of regulation, Sam Meza fired a shot three minutes into overtime but the Arkansas goalkeeper made a sliding stop to safe the game for the Razorbacks.
Emily Murphy and Libby Moore followed with a pair of shots just four minutes after but couldn't connect.
Meza ended the match with her game-winner just two minutes after her first shot in overtime.
Carolina ended the match with a 21-6 shot advantage and earned nine corner kicks compared to the Razorbacks' two.
The Tar Heels journey to Illinois (Aug. 26) and Ohio State (Aug. 29) for their first road tests of the season.
Below are highlights from today's match.
A thrilling ending to this one!
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) August 22, 2021
Highlights from today's win vs Arkansas ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rFq1S8enWi
Team Stats
ARK
UNC
Goals
0
1
Shots
6
21
Shots on Goal
3
7
Saves
6
2
Corners
2
9
Fouls
9
7
Scoring Plays
Sam Meza (1)
GOAL by UNC Meza, Sam.
96:43
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Women's SoccerForward/Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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