Six Tar Heels Score As Women’s Soccer Glides By Clemson, 6-0

Thursday, October 17

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 p.m. ET

North Carolina

14-2-0, 7-1-0

Clemson

6-6-2, 2-5-0

Clemson

North Carolina

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Six Tar Heels Score As Women’s Soccer Glides By Clemson, 6-0

October 17, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The fourth-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team put together a memorable performance on Thursday night at Dorrance Field, with goals from six different players sealing a decisive 6-0 win over Clemson as the program hosted its Alumni Night and Anson Dorrance Celebration.

Following the win, the Tar Heels – who are No. 1 in the NCAA RPI for the third straight week – improve to 14-2 overall and 7-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Tigers drop to 6-6-2 (2-5 ACC).

How It Happened

UNC jumped out to a quick lead in the 15th minute after Maddie Dahlien created contact in the box to award the home team a penalty kick. Stepping up to the spot, co-captain Bella Sember drove home her shot to the upper left.
The 38th minute saw Carolina double its lead. Aven Alvarez connected with Aria Nagai, whose well-placed pass found Olivia Thomas just inside the 18. Using her strength and physicality, Thomas got around two Tiger defenders to position her shot on frame. The shot deflected off the keeper's gloves, bounced off the post and bent back into the net.
Carolina carried its comfortable 2-0 lead into the half, also holding a 9-2 advantage in shots and 6-2 edge in corners to set themselves up for an even more explosive second half.
Bella Gaetino had a huge defensive save in the 51st minute to keep Clemson off the board. Clare Gagne was off her line in an attempt to make a stop, but the ball got loose which allowed the Tigers to send off a shot that was covered by Gaetino.
The home team tacked on another one in the 55th minute after Kate Faasse capitalized on a deep turnover following an aggressive press. Charging down the right side, she held off her defender and found the back of the net from about 10 yards out.
The Tar Heels soon made it a 4-0 game three minutes later after converting another penalty. Dahlien once again drew the foul but took the shot herself this time, sending the ball to the lower left corner.
Carolina extended its lead to 5-0 with 20 minutes left on the clock. A misplaced header from Sember's corner kick sent the ball back out to the left side where Emerson Elgin fired a left-footed strike through traffic into the bottom right corner of the far post.
The sixth and final goal of UNC's scoring frenzy came in the 87th minute from Alexa Wojnovich. Thomas sent a nice ball back to connect with Wojnovich just inside the 18, who settled it down to slot it in between the keeper and the post.

Inside the Box Score

Sember scored her seventh goal of the year, and her fourth from the penalty mark.
Thomas found the back of the net for the fourth time this season.
Faasse's goal marked her team-leading 11th of the year. She also tops the roster with 23 points.
Dahlien, who missed nine games when playing at the FIFA U20 World Cup, got her first tally of the year.
Elgin scored the first goal of her career while Wojonovich netted her first as a Tar Heel.
UNC's six goals were the most since a 6-1 win over Syracuse on Oct. 22, 2023.
The Tar Heels finished with a season-high 15 corner kicks, the most since the Syracuse game in 2023.
Carolina out-shot Clemson 24-7, including 14-2 on goal. Its 14 shots on target were the most taken this year.
This marked the 10th shutout for the Tar Heels this season.
UNC has kept all opponents to six shots on goal or fewer, and all to 15 shots or fewer.
Carolina extends its all-time series record against Clemson to 37-1-1 with a perfect 19-0 mark at home.

Up Next
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels hit the road and head to Tallahassee, Florida, for their final regular season road game on Friday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Seminole Soccer Complex and the match will air on ACCNX.

Carolina then returns to Chapel Hill to host crosstown rival Duke on Thursday, Oct. 31, at Dorrance Field for the final match of the 2024 regular season. 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.