Women’s Soccer Knocks Off #1 Duke, 2-1; Advances To ACC Title Game

Thursday, November 7

Cary, N.C.

8 p.m. ET

North Carolina

16-4-0, 7-3-0

#1 Duke

14-2-1, 9-0-1

North Carolina

Duke

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Women’s Soccer Knocks Off #1 Duke, 2-1; Advances To ACC Title Game

November 8, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CARY, N.C. – Freshmen reigned supreme – first with Linda Ullmark's equalizer and then a heroic effort on both ends of the field from Trinity Armstrong – to book North Carolina women's soccer a trip to the championship match of the 2024 Ally Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

The fourth-seeded Tar Heels, who are ranked No. 8 nationally, knocked off top-seeded and top-ranked Duke, 2-1, during the semifinals on Thursday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary after two goals in the second half.

It was the 950th win in program history. It was also UNC's first win over a No. 1-ranked opponent since Nov. 10, 2019, in a 2-1 double overtime victory over Virginia to win the 2019 ACC Tournament.

The Tar Heels are now one step closer to earning their 23rd conference title. They will face third-seed Florida State, the No. 6 team in the country, in the ACC championship game on Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon ET in Cary on ESPNU.

Following its rivalry win, Carolina improved to 16-4 (7-3 ACC) on the year. The team snapped a 15-game unbeaten streak by Duke, the regular season champion, which is now 14-2-1 (9-0-1 ACC).

How It Happened

Clare Gagne came up with an early save in the eighth minute. Soon after, a Duke corner kick created a flurry of activity inside the box with Farrah Walters getting a shot off before it was cleared off the line by Aria Nagai.
After a few early turnovers in midfield, Carolina settled in and was able to gain momentum offensively. Olivia Thomas registered UNC's first look on target 15 minutes in, but her shot from the left side was saved by Duke keeper Leah Freeman.
Another promosing chance came three minutes later when Bella Gaetino's free kick connected with Armstrong, whose header went right into the gloves of Freeman.
A foul called inside the box awarded the Blue Devils a penalty kick in the 29th minute. Cameron Roller stepped up to the spot and sent her shot to the lower left corner for a 1-0 Duke lead.
Both teams went into the break having taken four shots in the opening frame with Duke holding a slight 3-2 edge in shots on goal. Both sides also had one corner kick after 45 minutes of play.
Ullmark leveled the score in the 50th minute after she ripped a strike from nearly 30 yards out. Playing up through midfield, she created just enough space around her defender to get a shot off her right boot, which trickled into the lower left corner after initially making contact with Freeman.
A huge defensive effort by Armstrong in the 71st minute preserved the tied scoreline. Gagne punched out a Duke corner kick before the ball became loose to allow Walters to get her foot on it, but Duke's attempt at regaining the lead was denied by the freshman with a clutch goal line clearance.
Continuing her standout performance, Armstrong then found the game-winner in the 81st minute. A perfectly-placed corner kick from Nagai connected with Armstrong at the top of the six-yard box. Her header bounced into the back of the net for a 2-1 UNC lead it would maintain to knock off No. 1 Duke.

Inside the Box Score

Ullmark, who was recently named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, scored her third goal of the season.
All-ACC First Team and All-Freshman Team honoree Armstrong netted the first goal of her collegiate career.
Armstrong returned from earning bronze with Team USA at the FIFA U17 World Cup two days prior, leading the U.S. to its best finish since 2008.
Nagai was credited with her second assist of the season.
The crosstown rivals finished with 13 shots apiece as Duke took seven on frame compared to UNC's five. DU also finished with a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
UNC ended the match with six stops on the night – four from Gagne and two team saves. Freeman had three.
Six players in Aven Alvarez, Armstrong, Emerson Elgin, Kate Faasse, Gaetino and Gagne logged a full 90 minutes.
Elgin made her 50th career start.
Carolina extends its lead in the all-time series with Duke to 44-6-5, including 13-0-1 in the ACC Tournament.
UNC is now 73-9-6 in the ACC Tournament and 29-4-1 in the semifinals. The team is 27-5-3 for ACC Tournament games played in Cary.

Up Next
The fourth-seeded Tar Heels return to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Sunday, Nov. 10, to face third-seed Florida State in the ACC Tournament title game. Kickoff will be at noon ET and will air nationally on ESPNU. Tickets can be purchased here.

A No. 4 seed has reached the ACC final just twice before – in 2013 and 2016 – since the inaugural tournament in 1988 and has yet to win the championship crown. The last time a fourth seed reached the final was when UNC did so in 2016, ultimately falling to FSU after a 4-3 PK decision.

North Carolina and Florida State combine for 32 of the league's 36 women's soccer championships. The Tar Heels and Seminoles will meet in the ACC Championship final for the second time in three seasons and 10th time overall.

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