Women’s Soccer Blanks Minnesota, 3-0, For 150th NCAA Tournament Win

Sunday, November 24

Chapel Hill, N.C.

5 p.m. ET

North Carolina

19-5-0, 7-3-0

Minnesota

14-5-3, 6-3-2

Minnesota

North Carolina

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Women’s Soccer Blanks Minnesota, 3-0, For 150th NCAA Tournament Win

November 24, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina women's soccer reached a major milestone on Sunday night at Dorrance Field, earning its 150th NCAA Tournament victory in program history. No other school has more than 83 wins during the 43 years the NCAA has sponsored a women's soccer championship.

The monumental victory came after No. 2 seed Carolina blanked No. 6 seed Minnesota, 3-0, in the NCAA Third Round. Carolina now advances to the quarterfinals for the 35th time in school history.

The Tar Heels, who are ranked eighth nationally, improve to 19-5 (7-3 ACC) on the year following their win. The Golden Gophers conclude their season at 14-5-3 (6-3-2 Big Ten).

How It Happened

The home team set the pace early and was quick to go on the attack, as Maddie Dahlien fired off a shot in the fifth minute that was ultimately denied by Minnesota keeper Sarah Martin.
UNC broke through in the 17th minute to go up 1-0. Driving to the endline on the left side, Dahlien sent a cutback pass which connected with Kate Faasse who quickly played it off. Left loose inside the box, Ullmark got on the end of it with a strike that ricocheted off the crossbar and over the goal line.
Continuing to press, Dahlien again had another chance 10 minutes later after finding herself 1v1 with Martin, but her chip sailed inches wide of the far post.
Carolina doubled its lead with 90 seconds remaining before the break. Bringing the ball in from the left side was Dahlien who passed it to Aven Alvarez on the right. Alvarez fended off two Gophers and sent a feed between the legs of one defender to put it in place for Evelyn Shores, whose first touch with her left boot rolled into the back of the net.
The Tar Heels carried their 2-0 lead into the break while out-shooting the Golden Gophers 11-4, including 3-1 on target. Clare Gagne had one first-half save.
UNC made it a 3-0 game in the 57th minute in nearly identical fashion to its second goal as overcommitment from UMN's back line once again created open space inside the 18. Dahlien forced isolation and sent a cutback pass to Olivia Thomas in box, and Thomas' left-footed first touch rolled into the bottom right.
Anchored by Trinity Armstrong, Bella Gaetino and Emerson Elgin, UNC defense stood strong and limited Minnesota to just three shots during the second frame, and only one on target in each half.

Inside the Box Score

Ullmark scored her sixth goal of the year. She now ranks third on the team with 17 points.
With a goal and an assist, Shores saw her first points in what was only her seventh appearance of the year after returning from injury on Oct. 31.
Thomas, who found the back of the net for the seventh time this season, ranks fourth on the roster with 16 points.
Dahlien had the first multi-assist game of her career. She now tops the roster with seven assists.
Faasse picked up her third assist to extend her team lead to 39 points while Alvarez notched the first assist of her career.
The Tar Heels finished the match with a 16-7 advantage in shots, including 6-2 on frame. Dahlien and Thomas had five shots apiece.
UMN was shut out for just the third time this season at the hands of UNC's lockdown defense.
Carolina now has 14 shutouts of the year with 11 credited to Gagne. Gagne made a pair of saves between the posts.
Four Tar Heels in Armstrong, Elgin, Gaetino and Gagne logged a full 90 minutes.

NCAA Tournament Tidbits

North Carolina extended its streak as the only team to appear in all 43 NCAA Tournaments.
The Tar Heels now have an all-time record of 150-18-5 in the NCAA Tournament.
Carolina has won 21 of 42 NCAA titles, plus the 1981 AIAW title for 22 national championships.
Carolina has appeared in 31 College Cups, including four of the last six. No other team has been in more than 14.
UNC has advanced to the national title game 27 times, including three of the last six, and has finished as the national runner-up on six occasions.
The Tar Heels have been a No. 2 seed 12 times before, winning five NCAA crowns as a second seed, including its last title in 2012.
Carolina is now 18-5-2 all-time in the NCAA Third Round, with 12 third-round contests being shutouts.

Up Next
Carolina, which earned a No. 2 seed, has earned the right to host the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Tar Heels will welcome No. 4 seed Penn State to Dorrance Field on Friday, Nov. 29.

Kickoff time for the Elite Eight is at 6 p.m. ET and the match will air on ESPN+. Tickets are available for purchase here.

The winner of Friday's match will advance to the College Cup held in nearby Cary at WakeMed Soccer Park on Dec. 6 (semifinals) and Dec. 9 (championship). UNC is seeking its 32nd College Cup berth in program history.

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