No. 5 Women's Soccer Posts Clean Sheet Over No. 13 Pitt

Thursday, October 6

Chapel Hill

7 p.m.

North Carolina

10-3-0, 3-2-0

Pitt

11-2-0, 4-1-0

Pittsburgh

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 6, 2022 | Women's Soccer

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By: Jody Jones

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four different players scored a goal and No. 5 North Carolina rolled past No. 13 Pitt, 4-0, at Dorrance Field on Thursday night to end the Panthers' five-game winning streak and send them to their first conference loss.

"This is the potential of the team," UNC head coach Anson Dorrance said. "The problem we've had all season is dominating and not finishing, tonight we finished well. That was a high-level game and I really enjoyed watching us play.

"[Pitt] was No. 2 in the RPI and to get that result is a huge compliment to our kids."

It took less than 12 minutes for the Tar Heels (10-3, 3-2 ACC) to find the net for the first time as junior Sam Meza scored from 20 yards out. Senior Tori Hansen stretched the lead to 2-0 in the 33^rd minute with a header into the back of the goal and junior Talia Dellaperuta scored a goal – her first of the season – in the 38^th minute to send UNC into halftime with a 3-0 lead.

"We attacked with variety," Dorrance said. "If you look at the different ways we scored, that's what we want. We don't want to have a predictable attack because a team can sort out how to defend us. It bodes well for the fact that we're going to be tough to close down.

"We're going to be a very difficult team to play against if we continue to improve at the rate we are improving."

Freshman Maddie Dahlien capped the scoring for Carolina in the 60^th minute with her first career goal.

"Her goal, that's track speed baby," Dorrance said of Dahlien's goal. "The last four games she has been our best player. We gave her the start in the second half and with that goal she has won the start [going forward]."

Emmie Allen faced four shots on goal, including a penalty kick, but turned all attempts aside in posting a combined clean sheet with Marz Josephson. Caitlyn Lazzarini had five saves for Pitt (11-2, 4-1 ACC).

The win was the 399^th home victory for the Tar Heels, who will seek their 400^th Sunday when they return to action against NC State. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.