Women’s Soccer Rolls Over North Dakota, 3-0

Thursday, August 29

Chapel Hill, N.C.

4 p.m. ET

North Carolina

North Dakota

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

August 29, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Dominating from the first whistle and preventing its opponent from taking any shots, No. 5 North Carolina women's soccer secured its second straight shutout following a decisive 3-0 win over North Dakota on Thursday evening at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels remain undefeated and improve to 5-0 on the season while the Fighting Hawks suffer their first loss and drop to 2-1-2.

How It Happened

North Carolina got right down to it on the attack, dominating possession to fire off 25 shots during the first 45 minutes of play and forcing North Dakota to have all 10 field players on defense for the entirety of the match.
The Tar Heels' probing paid off in the 16th minute when they jumped out to an early lead. Aria Nagai's corner created chaos inside the box where Kate Faasse was able to fend off three defenders to send a short cross to Bella Gaetino. Gaetino got the ball off her left foot on the turn, and her shot deflected off the keeper's glove and into the top of the net.
UNC created several other scoring opportunities in attempt to double its lead but were unable to finish any chances. The Tar Heels did not allow the Fighting Hawks to take a shot, let alone get into their attacking half, during the opening frame.
Carolina continued to press aggressively coming out of the break. The relentless pressure wore UND down as UNC took 16 more shots in the second half while again denying North Dakota any attempts.
A foul inside the box awarded the home team a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Bella Sember stepped up to the spot and sank her shot to the lower left corner to give UNC a 2-0 lead.
A nifty heel pass from Ashley Pennie set up Tessa Dellarose for a cross from the left side which found Faasse at the top of the 6-yard box. Faasse's perfectly-timed header ricocheted off the right post and into the back of the net to make it 3-0 in favor of Carolina in the 76th minute.

Inside the Box Score

Carolina finished with 41 shots, its most since taking 42 against Syracuse on Oct. 22, 2023. Thirteen of those were on target. Sember had a game-high nine shots, with she and Gaetino finishing with three on target.
North Dakota had been averaging 24 shots per game and 11.5 shots on goal per game heading into today. The team was denied any shots.
It was the first time UNC has kept its opponent shotless since Nov. 16, 2019, against Belmont. It was also the first time UNC has kept its opponent without a shot on goal since Nov. 19, 2023, at Texas Tech.
UNC went into the halftime break with a 25-0 edge in shots. It was the second time this season the team has kept its opponent shotless during the first half, the initial time being at Denver on Aug. 15.
Carolina also finished with a 12-0 edge in corner kicks. It was the second time this year UNC has prevented its opponent from taking any corner kicks, the first vs. Georgia on Aug. 22.
It was the second shutout of the year for goalkeeper Clare Gagne, who has played every minute between the posts.
A season-high 21 different Tar Heels took the pitch, highlighted by first career appearances for Avery Look, Logan Tongberg, Raegan Williams and Alexa Wojnovich.

Up Next
The fifth-ranked Tar Heels are back at Dorrance Field for their fourth consecutive home match on Sunday, Sept. 1, to host Seton Hall. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET and the game will air on ACCNX. Tickets are available for purchase here.

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