No. 1 Women’s Soccer Remains Undefeated After 1-0 Win At No. 22 Virginia

Thursday, September 21

Charlottesville, Va.

7 p.m. ET

North Carolina

7-0-3, 2-0-0

#22 Virginia

5-1-3, 0-1-1

North Carolina

Virginia

Photo by: Keith Lucas

No. 1 Women’s Soccer Remains Undefeated After 1-0 Win At No. 22 Virginia

September 21, 2023 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The lone goal from Ally Sentnor was enough to keep No. 1 North Carolina women's soccer undefeated, as the top-ranked team in the country posted a 1-0 win over No. 22 Virginia in Charlottesville on Thursday night at Klöckner Stadium.

Following the victory, the Tar Heels remain one of the lone unbeaten teams in the country with an overall record of 7-0-3 (2-0 ACC). The Cavaliers suffered their first loss and drop to 5-1-3 (1-1 ACC).

Carolina also moves to 4-0-2 against ranked teams this year, and the win marked head coach Anson Dorrance's 1,100th career victory.

How It Happened

Melina Rebimbas had an opportunity to give the Tar Heels the go-ahead goal early on in her first career start, but her shot was stopped by the Cavalier goalkeeper to kickstart what proved to be a back-and-forth first half.
Emmie Allen made a critical stop in the 34th minute, when a strike from distance after a Virginia counterattack forced the Carolina netminder to make a diving save.
The home team had another opportunity in the opening half's final seconds, but pressure from Allen caused the shot attempt to sail high to maintain the scoreless tie at the break.
A quick response from UNC on the counter led to Sentnor's third goal this season in the 55th minute. Dodging three defenders to create space, she used her powerful left-footed strike to send a shot to the far post.
Mia Oliaro registered her second shot on frame in the 71st minute for another good look for the Tar Heels, but Cavalier keeper Cayla White was again there for the save.
A late push from UVA was not enough as UNC held on for the 1-0 win to remain perfect on the season.

Inside the Box Score

Allen made two saves between the posts for her fifth – and UNC's sixth – clean sheet of the year.
UNC finished the match with 11 shots to UVA's nine, also holding a 5-2 edge in shots on goal.
Sentnor had a game-high five shots while Oliaro led all players with two shots on target.
The Tar Heels' stalwart defense has held all of its opponents to 11 shots or under, and fewer than 10 in conference play.
Allen, Maycee Bell, Savy King and Emily Moxley logged a full 90 minutes.
North Carolina improves to 40-5-5 in the all-time series with Virginia.

Up Next
The top-ranked Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for a big showdown with No. 3 Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Dorrance Field. The rematch of last year's ACC Championship and NCAA Semifinal will take place at noon ET.

Tickets are available for purchase here. The game will broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Joe Malfa and Lori Lindsey on call.

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