No. 1 Women’s Soccer Stays Unbeaten After Edging Miami, 1-0

Thursday, October 5

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 p.m. ET

North Carolina

9-0-4, 4-0-1

Miami

3-6-3, 2-3-0

Miami (FL)

North Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

October 5, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Emily Colton's first goal of the season sealed a 1-0 victory for No. 1 North Carolina women's soccer over Miami on Thursday night at Dorrance Field, as the Tar Heels remain one of the lone unbeaten teams in the country.

Following the win, UNC improves to 9-0-4 on the season and picks up three points in Atlantic Coast Conference play to move to 4-0-1. The Hurricanes drop to 3-6-3 (2-3 ACC).

How It Happened

Carolina found its rhythm offensively right from the opening whistle, forcing Miami's keeper to make two saves in the first eight minutes of play.
The go-ahead goal came in the 16th minute after Avery Patterson's low cross down the left lane found Emily Colton in front of the six-yard line. Spinning around her defender, Colton fired a shot to the back post for her first goal this season.
Anchored by defenders Emerson Elgin, Kayleigh Herr and Savy King, UNC's back line held Miami shotless during the opening frame, the sixth time the team has kept an opponent without a shot in a half this year.
UNC looked to double its lead in the 54th minute after a dangerous strike from Ally Sentnor, but her attempt was deflected and bounced off the crossbar.
The home team continued to dominate possession, out-shooting the Hurricanes 14-1 during the second half.
Despite a few other strong looks, the Tar Heels were unable to break through as Colton's first-half tally stood for the 1-0 decision.

Inside the Box Score

Carolina finished with a 20-1 edge in shots, including a 9-0 advantage in shots on goal.
UNC's back line has held 12 of its 13 opponents to 10 shots or less, seven of those to five or fewer and three to only one.
The Tar Heels also finished with a 12-0 lead in corner kicks, their third straight game with at least seven.
Tori Dellaperuta had a game-high three shots on frame while she, along with Sentnor and Evelyn Shores, took three shots.
Nona Reason earned her second shutout in her second career start, good for the team's eighth shutout this season.
Isabel Cox made her 100th career appearance, which leads all active Division I players.
Colton's tally was her first goal since Aug. 28, 2022, against Baylor.
Elgin, Herr, King and Reason logged a full 90 minutes.

Up Next
The top-ranked Tar Heels make a quick trip to Durham to face No. 22 Duke on Sunday, Oct. 8, in the 52nd edition of the Tobacco Road rivalry. It will be UNC's eighth top-25 matchup this season.

Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET at Koskinen Stadium and the game will broadcast nationally on ACC Network. Tickets are available for purchase here.

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