Women’s Soccer Starts 2024 Campaign With 2-1 Win Over Denver

Thursday, August 15

Denver, Colo.

9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. MT)

North Carolina

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Denver

0-1-0, 0-0-0

North Carolina

Denver

Photo by: C. Morgan Engel

Women’s Soccer Starts 2024 Campaign With 2-1 Win Over Denver

August 15, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

DENVER, Colo. – Tessa Dellarose was credited with the first goal of the year and Bella Sember tacked on another to secure a 2-1 victory over Denver for the eighth-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team in its 2024 season opener on Thursday night in Denver, Colorado.

The Tar Heels begin the new season at 1-0 while the Pioneers drop to 0-1. UNC has now won or tied 10 straight season openers, improving to 38-5-4 all-time in its first game of the year.

Following the retirement of Anson Dorrance – Carolina's first and only women's soccer head coach to date – on Aug. 11, associate head coach Damon Nahas is serving as interim head coach. Nahas picked up his first win at the helm of the storied Tar Heel program.

How It Happened

One of the best early looks came in the 22nd minute when, after winning a 1v1 battle on the right flank, Kate Faasse sent a cross to the back post to find Maddie Dahlien, whose first touch landed inches wide.
The Tar Heels had another solid chance 10 minutes later after Faasse cut inside to find Linda Ullmark. After Ullmark's shot was cleared it found its way to Sember, with her follow-up shot bouncing off the crossbar.
UNC got on the board first in the 33rd minute. In the midst of driving down the middle, a clean tackle on Ullmark at the top of the 18-yard box sent a loose ball back to Dellarose about 25 yards out, who uncorked a left-footed rocket into the back of the net.
Carolina's defensive unit held it down during the first 45 minutes of play, keeping Denver shotless as UNC went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
The Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick in the 51st minute after a lengthy VAR review. Ella Frost converted her attempt to level the score at 1-1.
UNC responded in the 62nd minute to regain a 2-1 lead after capitalizing off a failed Denver clearance. Dahlien's initial cross made its way to her once again and she cut it back to a wide-open Sember inside the box. Sember's left-footed first touch blasted through traffic to the bottom right corner.
The Tar Heels carried their momentum throughout the remainder of the second half by forcing pressure on Denver's back line. Nothing else fell despite UNC continuing to create chances as the final scoreline stood at 2-1 to mark the first win of the year.

Inside the Box Score

The Tar Heels out-shot the Pioneers 19-4, including 5-2 on target.
Ullmark led all players with five shots in her collegiate debut. Sember had a game-high two shots on goal.
In her first game as a Tar Heel, grad transfer Clare Gagne made one save between the posts.
Five different UNC players logged a full 90 minutes.
Three freshmen started the match: Trinity Armstrong, Bella Gaetino, Linda Ullmark. Rookies Aven Alvarez and Ashley Pennie subbed in.

Up Next
The eighth-ranked Tar Heels remain in the Centennial State for a match at Colorado on Sunday, Aug. 18, in Boulder. The game will begin at 2 p.m. ET (noon MT) at Prentup Field and will stream on ESPN+.

After Sunday's match, the Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for their home opener on Thursday, Aug. 22, against Georgia. 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.