Freshmen Shine As No. 2 Women’s Soccer Tops Cal, 3-1, In Home Opener

Sunday, August 20

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1 p.m. ET

North Carolina

California

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Freshmen Shine As No. 2 Women’s Soccer Tops Cal, 3-1, In Home Opener

August 20, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Two of three goals scored for the No. 2 University of North Carolina women's soccer team were career-firsts for freshmen Olivia Thomas and Melina Rebimbas, who helped lift UNC to a 3-1 win over California on Sunday afternoon at Dorrance Field.

Following the win, the Tar Heels improve to 1-0-1 on the year while the Golden Bears drop to 0-2. Carolina also moves to 41-2-2 all-time for home openers.

How It Happened

The Tar Heels jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third minute when Emerson Elgin's corner connected with Maycee Bell in the center of the box. Bell's header found Avery Patterson on the left side at the top of the six-yard box, who sent a strike to the far post for UNC's first goal of the season.
Karlie Lema gave the Golden Bears the equalizer 11 minutes later, leveling the score at one apiece.
UNC's go-ahead goal came in the 41st minute after Mia Oliaro's cross from the left made its way to Tori Dellaperuta, who set Melina Rebimbas up inside the box. Rebimbas' left-footed shot landed in the bottom right to mark her first career goal.
Carolina went into the break with a 2-1 lead, also holding a 13-1 edge in shots and 4-2 advantage in corners.
The home team carried its momentum into the second half, extending its lead to 3-1 in the 47th minute. Emily Moxley's pass slipped past a Cal defender to Ally Sentnor, whose assist allowed Olivia Thomas to tap it into the bottom center for the first of her Tar Heel career.

Inside the Box Score

Carolina dominated in every statistical category, outshooting its opponents 25-2 which included an 11-1 advantage in shots on goal.
UNC also had 11 corner kicks to Cal's two.
Thomas had a game-high six shots, followed by Emily Colton with four and both Bella Sember and Sentnor with three each.
UNC's back line limited Cal to just one shot in each half and held them shotless between the 15th and 85th minutes.

Up Next
The second-ranked Tar Heels continue their five-game home stretch on Thursday, Aug. 24, by playing host to Wisconsin. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at Dorrance Field.

Tickets are available for purchase here. Thursday will also serve as a doubleheader with Carolina men's soccer, and one ticket will gain entry to both events.

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