Patterson’s Brace Guides No. 3 Women’s Soccer To 6-1 Win Over Syracuse

Sunday, October 22

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1 p.m. ET

North Carolina

10-0-7, 5-0-4

Syracuse

2-13-2, 0-8-1

Syracuse

North Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

Patterson’s Brace Guides No. 3 Women’s Soccer To 6-1 Win Over Syracuse

October 22, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Avery Patterson's two goals in a span of five minutes – which marked her third career brace – highlighted the third-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team's dominant 6-1 victory over Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels picked up three points in Atlantic Coast Conference play following the win to remain undefeated at 10-0-7 (5-0-4). The Orange fall to 2-13-2 (0-8-1).

Prior to the match, North Carolina honored its graduating class – Maycee Bell, Isabel Cox, Talia Dellaperuta, Julia Dorsey, Kai Hayes, Sam Meza, Emily Moxley, Avery Patterson, Riley Quinlan and Paige Tolentino – for Senior Day presented by Carolina Alumni.

How It Happened

Dominating possession right from the first whistle, the Tar Heels' deliberate mode of attack was on full display. Six goals were the most scored by the team this year.
UNC broke through in the 35th minute when Maddie Dahlien recovered the ball near the left corner, maneuvering tightly on the endline to send a cross into the 6-yard box. Bell was there to volley it through two defenders for her first goal of the year.
The home team jumped out to a 2-0 lead four minutes later behind Bella Sember's first tally of the season. Receiving a pass from Tessa Dellarose at the top of the box, Sember was able to create space to fire a low shot to the center of the net.
The Tar Heels' relentless attack continued in the second half. Ally Sentnor's initial shot in the 48th minute was kicked away by Syracuse's goalkeeper, setting Meza up for a left-footed rebound to the bottom center to mark her first of the 2023 campaign.
The Orange got on the board in the 75th minute before UNC quickly responded 90 seconds later. Moxley's feed from the left was perfectly placed to Patterson inside the box, whose header sailed into the near post.
Patterson found the back of the net yet again in the 82nd minute for her team-leading eighth goal of the year and her third career brace. Her powerful strike from 18 yards out landed in the upper 90.
Melina Rebimbas made it 6-1 with four minutes left on the clock for the third goal of the freshman's career. Dribbling past three defenders, she used her right foot to send a shot to the lower left corner.

Inside the Box Score

Patterson extended her team lead with eight goals and 18 points. It was the third brace of the senior's career, the first two which came against Texas and UCLA in 2022.
Carolina's six goals were the most scored since notching seven at Florida on Sept. 9, 2021.
UNC concluded the match with a season-high 42 shots to SU's three, including 24 in the second half. It was the second 40+ shot effort this season.
Nineteen shots on goal by the Tar Heels was also a new season best, surpassing their 12 against Gardner-Webb and NC State.
Dahlien led all players with nine shots. She, along with Tori Dellaperuta and Sember, recorded three on target.
UNC also had a 15-0 advantage in corner kicks to match its season high.
Splitting time between the posts, Emmie Allen and Nona Reason both recorded one save.
A season-high 26 Tar Heels saw the pitch with Savy King logging a team-high 82 minutes.

Up Next
The third-ranked Tar Heels trek north for their final regular season match of the 2023 campaign on Thursday, Oct. 26, against Boston College. Kickoff in Newton, Massachusetts, is set for 7 p.m. ET at Newton Campus Field and the game will air on ACCNX.

Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.